Fine particles containing rare earth element and fluorescent probe using the same

Abstract

A main object of the present invention is to provide: fine particles whose excitation light is not the one such as UV light or the like which has negative effects on a subject to be analyzed, emit light stably, and has excellent light emitting efficiency, and a fluorescent probe labeled with the fine particles. In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a fluorescent probe comprising: fine particles containing a rare earth element characterized in that they are excited by light having a wavelength in a range of 500 nm to 2000 nm and thereby emit up-conversion emission; and a specific binding substance which binds to the fine particles containing a rare earth element.

1 . A method for manufacturing a fine particle containing a rare earth element comprising:
 a first process of doping the rare earth element to at least one kind of basic carbonate selected from the group consisting of basic yttrium carbonate, basic gadolinium carbonate, basic lutetium carbonate, basic lanthanum carbonate and basic scandium carbonate; and   a second process of calcination of the basic carbonate doped with the rare earth element.   
   
   
       2 . The method for manufacturing a fine particle containing a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the basic carbonate doped with the rare earth element is obtained by a liquid phase reaction, in the first process. 
   
   
       3 . The method for manufacturing a fine particle containing a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein: at least one kind of nitrate selected from the group consisting of yttrium nitrate, gadoliniumnitrate, lutetiumnitrate, lanthanumnitrate and scandium nitrate; a nitrate of the rare earth element to be doped; and sodium carbonate, are reacted in the first process. 
   
   
       4 . The method for manufacturing a fine particle containing a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the basic carbonate doped with the rare earth element is quenched after calcination by a rapid heating, in the second process. 
   
   
       5 . The method for manufacturing a fine particle containing a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the rare earth element is selected depending on the wavelength of the desired fluorescence.