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We present experimental measurements of the electronic contribution to the Raman spectra of individual metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (MSWNTs). Photoexcited carriers are inelastically scattered by a continuum of low-energy electron-hole pairs created across the graphenelike linear electronic subbands of the MSWNTs. The optical resonances in MSWNTs give rise to well-defined electronic Raman peaks. This resonant electronic Raman scattering is a unique feature of the electronic structure of these one-dimensional quasimetals.

We examine the intrinsic energy dissipation steps in electrically biased graphene channels. By combining in-situ measurements of the spontaneous optical emission with a Raman spectroscopy study of the graphene sample under conditions of current flow, we obtain independent information on the energy distribution of the electrons and phonons. The electrons and holes contributing to light emission are found to obey a thermal distribution, with temperatures in excess of 1500 K in the regime of current saturation. The zone-center optical phonons are also highly excited and are found to be in equilibrium with the electrons. For a given optical phonon temperature, the anharmonic downshift of the Raman G mode is smaller than expected under equilibrium conditions, suggesting that the electrons and high-energy optical phonons are not fully equilibrated with all of the phonon modes.

We examine the excitonic nature of high-lying optical transitions in single-walled carbon nanotubes by means of Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy. A careful analysis of the principal transitions of individual semiconducting and metallic nanotubes reveals that in both cases the line shape is consistent with an excitonic model, but not one of free carriers. For semiconducting species, sidebands are observed at $\ensuremath{\sim}200\text{ }\text{meV}$ above the third and fourth optical transitions. These features are ascribed to exciton-phonon bound states. Such sidebands are not apparent for metallic nanotubes, as expected from the reduced strength of excitonic interactions in these systems.

International audience; We have measured the low-energy excitonic transitions of chiral assigned individual large-diameter semiconducting single-walled nanotubes using a high-resolution Fourier transform photoconductivity technique. When photoconductivity is complemented by Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy, as many as five optical transitions can be identified on the same individual nanotube over an energy range of 0.3-2.7 eV. We find that well-established energy scaling relations developed for nanotubes of smaller diameter are not consistent with the measured low-energy transitions in large (1.8-2.3 nm) diameter nanotubes.

The properties of pristine, free-standing graphene monolayers prepared by mechanical exfoliation of graphite are investigated. The graphene monolayers, suspended over open trenches, are examined by means of spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy of the G-, D-, and 2D-phonon modes. The G-mode phonons exhibit reduced energies (1580 cm(-1)) and increased widths (14 cm(-1)) compared to the response of graphene monolayers supported on the SiO(2)-covered substrate. From analysis of the G-mode Raman spectra, we deduce that the free-standing graphene monolayers are essentially undoped, with an upper bound of 2 x 10(11) cm(-2) for the residual carrier concentration. On the supported regions, significantly higher and spatially inhomogeneous doping is observed. The free-standing graphene monolayers show little local disorder, based on the very weak Raman D-mode response. The two-phonon 2D mode of the free-standing graphene monolayers is downshifted in frequency compared to that of the supported region of the samples and exhibits a narrowed, positively skewed line shape.

International audience; The absorption cross section of highly luminescent individual single-walled carbon nanotubes is determined using time-resolved and cw luminescence spectroscopy. A mean value of 1x10-17 cm2 per carbon atom is obtained for (6,5) tubes excited at their second optical transition, and corroborated by single tube photothermal absorption measurements. Biexponential luminescence decays are systematically observed, with short and long lifetimes around 45 and 250 ps. This behavior is attributed to the band edge exciton fine structure with a dark level lying a few meV below a bright one.

To overcome the photobleaching problem inherent to fluorescence techniques we recently developed a new optical detection method for individual non-fluorescent nano-objects. It allows detecting the movement of individual membrane proteins labeled with 5 nm gold nanoparticles in living cells for arbitrary long times.

International audience; The Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging method is used to study for the first time the absorption spectra of individual gold nanoparticles with diameters down to 5 nm. Intrinsic size effects wich result in a broadening of the Surface Plasmon resonance are unambiguously observed. Dispersions in the peak energies and homogeneous widths of the single particle resonances are revealed. The experimental results are analysed within the frame of Mie theory.

International audience; Current methods for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) lead to heterogeneous samples containing mixtures of metallic and semiconducting species with a variety of lengths and defects. Optical detection at the single nanotube level should thus offer the possibility to examine these heterogeneities provided that both SWNT species are equally well detected. Here, we used photothermal heterodyne detection to record absorption images and spectra of individual SWNTs. Because this photothermal method relies only on light absorption, it readily detects metallic nanotubes as well as the emissive semiconducting species. The first and second optical transitions in individual semicontucting nanotubes have been probed. Comparison between the emission and absorption spectra of the lowest-lying optical transition reveal mainly small Stokes shifts. Side bands in the near-infrared absorption spectra are observed and assigned to exciton-phonon bound states. No such sidebands are detected around the lowest transition of metallic nanotubes.

Tracking individual nano-objects in live cells during arbitrary long times is a ubiquitous need in modern biology. We present here a method for tracking individual 5-nm gold nanoparticles on live cells. It relies on the photothermal effect and the detection of the Laser Induced Scattering around a NanoAbsorber (LISNA). The key point for recording trajectories at video rate is the use of a triangulation procedure. The effectiveness of the method is tested against single fluorescent molecule tracking in live COS7 cells on subsecond timescales. We further demonstrate recordings for several minutes of AMPA receptors trajectories on the plasma membrane of live neurons. Single Nanoparticle Photothermal Tracking has the unique potential to record arbitrary long trajectory of membrane proteins using nonfluorescent nanometer-sized labels.

Several recently developed detection techniques opened studies of individual metal nanoparticles (1-100 nm in diameter) in the optical far field. Eliminating averaging over the broad size and shape distributions produced by even the best of current synthesis methods, these studies hold great promise for gaining a deeper insight into many of the properties of metal nanoparticles, notably electronic and vibrational relaxation. All methods are based on detection of a scattered wave emitted either by the particle itself, or by its close environment. Direct absorption and interference techniques rely on the particle's scattering and have similar limits in signal-to-noise ratio. The photothermal method uses a photo-induced change in the refractive index of the environment as an additional step to scatter a wave with a different wavelength. This leads to a considerable improvement in signal-to-background ratio, and thus to a much higher sensitivity. We briefly discuss and compare these various techniques, review the new results they generated so far, and conclude on their great potential for nanoscience and for single-molecule labelling in biological assays and live cells.

We developed a photothermal method based on scattering around a nano-absorber that allows for the unprecedented detection of individual nano-objects such as gold nanoparticles with diameter down to 1.4 nm as well as CdSe nanocrystals. This method relies on the absorptive properties of the nano-object and does not suffer from the drawbacks of luminescence-based methods. We present here two different applications of this versatile detection method. First, we performed absorption spectroscopy of individual gold nanoparticles as small as 5nm and CdSe nanocrystals in the multiexcitonic regime. Second, we show the applicability of our method for new types of gold nanoparticles based DNA microarrays. In addition to the intrinsic signal stability due to the use of gold labelling, our technique does not require silver staining enhancement and permits to push the signal dynamics of such microarrays from the single nanoparticle detection to almost the full surface coverage.

We applied single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (using organic dyes or semiconductor quantum dots) to study the lateral diffusion of glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA) in live synapses. We directly imaged glutamate receptors movements inside and outside synapses of live cultured hippocampal neurons. We could record exchanges of receptors through lateral diffusion between these different membrane compartments. In addition, our data suggest that this lateral diffusion might be regulated by neuronal activity. To overcome the photobleaching problem inherent to fluorescence techniques we recently developed new optical methods for the detection of individual metallic nanoparticles. We can now detect signatures of diffusing AMPA receptors labeled with 10 nm gold nanoparticles on live neurons.

An all-optical method called photothermal heterodyne imaging (PHI) is developed that allows for the detection of individual nano-objects such as gold nanoparticles with diameter down to 1.4 /spl mu/m (67 atoms) as well as nonluminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. This observation of intrinsic size effects in the optical response of gold nanoparticles is analysed within the frame of Mie theory using a size-dependent surface damping term in the dielectric constant.

We introduce a highly sensitive far-field optical method for imaging individual non-fluorescent nano-objects. This allows for the unprecedented detection of individual gold clusters of only 67 atoms. The spectroscopy of individual nanoclusters is demonstrated.

International audience; We present a novel readout scheme for gold nanoparticle-based DNA microarrays relying on Laser Induced Scattering around a NanoAbsorber (LISNA). It provides direct counting of individual nanoparticles present on each array spot and stable signals, without any silver enhancement. Given the detection of nanometer-sized particles, which minimize the steric hindrance, the linear dynamic range of the method is particularly large and well suited for microarray detection.

International audience; Photothermal heterodyne detection is used to record the first room-temperature absorption spectra of single CdSe/ZnS semiconductor nanocrystals. These spectra are recorded in the high cw excitation regime, and the observed bands are assigned to transitions involving biexciton and trion states. Comparison with the single nanocrystals photoluminescence spectra leads to the measurement of spectral Stokes shifts free from ensemble averaging.

Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging (PHI) is a highly sensitive optical detection method of individual absorptive nano-objects. It can be applied to absorption spectroscopy measurements Surface Plasmon Resonance spectra of individual gold nanoparticules with diameters down to 5nm were recorded. Intrinsic size effects which result in a broadening of the Resonance are unambiguously observed and analyzed within the frame of Mie theory. Preliminary results obtained with silver nanoparticles are also presented.

International audience; We present the theoretical and detailed experimental characterizations of Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging. An analytical expression of the photothermal heterodyne signal is derived using the theory of light scattering from a fluctuating medium. The amplitudes of the signals detected in the backward and forward configurations are compared and their frequency dependences are studied. The application of the Photothermal Heterodyne detection technique to the absorption spectroscopy of individual gold nanoparticles is discussed and the detection of small individual silver nanoparticles is demonstrated.

International audience; We introduce a new, highly sensitive, and simple heterodyne optical method for imaging individual nonfluorescent nanoclusters and nanocrystals. A 2 order of magnitude improvement of the signal is achieved compared to previous methods. This allows for the unprecedented detection of individual small absorptive objects such as metallic clusters (of 67 atoms) or nonluminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. The measured signals are in agreement with a calculation based on the scattering field theory from a photothermal-induced modulated index of refraction profile around the nanoparticle.

Tautomerization, the interconversion between two constitutional molecular isomers, is ubiquitous in nature, plays a major role in chemistry and is perceived as an ideal switch function for emerging molecular-scale devices. Within free-base porphyrin, porphycene or phthalocyanine, this process involves the concerted or sequential hopping of the two inner hydrogen atoms between equivalent nitrogen sites of the molecular cavity. Electronic and vibronic changes that result from this NH tautomerization, as well as details of the switching mechanism, were extensively studied with optical spectroscopies, even with single-molecule sensitivity. The influence of atomic-scale variations of the molecular environment and submolecular spatial resolution of the tautomerization could only be investigated using scanning probe microscopes, at the expense of detailed information provided by optical spectroscopies. Here, we combine these two approaches, scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and fluorescence spectroscopy, to study the tautomerization within individual free-base phthalocyanine (HPc) molecules deposited on a NaCl-covered Ag(111) single-crystal surface. STM-induced fluorescence (STM-F) spectra exhibit duplicate features that we assign to the emission of the two molecular tautomers. We support this interpretation by comparing hyper-resolved fluorescence maps(HRFMs) of the different spectral contributions with simulations that account for the interaction between molecular excitons and picocavity plasmons. We identify the orientation of the molecular optical dipoles, determine the vibronic fingerprint of the tautomers and probe the influence of minute changes in their atomic-scale environment. Time-correlated fluorescence measurements allow us to monitor the tautomerization events and to associate the proton dynamics to a switching two-level system. Finally, optical spectra acquired with the tip located at a nanometre-scale distance from the molecule show that the tautomerization reaction occurs even when the tunnelling current does not pass through the molecule. Together with other observations, this remote excitation indicates that the excited state of the molecule is involved in the tautomerization reaction path., The authors thank V. Speisser for technical support and A. Boeglin and Andrei Borissov for fruitful discussions. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement no. 771850). The Agence National de la Recherche (project SMALL’LED no. ANR-14-CE26-0016-01), the Labex NIE (Contract no. ANR-11- LABX-0058_NIE) and the International Center for Frontier Research in Chemistry (FRC) are acknowledged for financial support. R.S.-M. and H.B. acknowledge GENCICINES (Project no. A0060907459) and the Pôle HPC and Equipex Equip@Meso at the University of Strasbourg. T.N. and J.A. acknowledge the project FIS2016-80174-P from the Spanish Ministry of Science, and project ELKARTEK KK-2018/00001 from the Basque Government, as well as grant IT1164-19 from the Basque Government for consolidated groups at the university

We present a newly developed photothermal imaging technique to perform absorption spectroscopy of individual nano-objects. Intrinsic size effects in the surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles and CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals in the multiexcitonic regime are studied.

In this thesis, we present an investigation of the optical properties of van der Waals heterostructures with sub-nm resolution. To achieve this, we use a unique approach combining time- and spatially-resolved optical spectroscopies together with STM-induced luminescence (STML). We use these techniques to characterize van der Waals heterostructures made from a monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) coupled to graphene mono- or few-layers. First, we show how we fabricate these heterostructures. Then, we thoroughly characterize the interlayer coupling in various heterostructures at low temperatures. We then use STML to investigate the effect of the nanoscopic landscape on the optical properties of TMD-based heterostructures. This work sheds light on the rich physics in van der Waals heterostructures and paves the way for investigations where 2D-materials can be probed at the nanoscale., Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié les propriétés optiques des hétérostructures de van der Waals (VdW) avec une résolution sous-nanométrique. D’abord, nous avons caractérisé des hétérostructures composées d’une monocouche de dichalcogénure de métaux de transition (TMD) couplée à une (1LG) ou plusieurs (FLG) couches du graphène. Pour y parvenir, nous avons utilisé une approche unique combinant des spectroscopies optiques résolues spatialement et temporellement. Nous avons démontré que dû au couplage entre les couches, les spectres de photoluminescence de l’hétérostructure sont caractérisés par une seule raie fine provenant de l'exciton neutre. Ce résultat est conséquence d’un transfert d'énergie sélectif du TMD vers le 1LG combiné avec une neutralisation complète du TMD par le graphene. Cette approche nous garantit d’obtenir un échantillon parfaitement neutre tout en nous permettant d’exploiter ses propriétés optiques puisque l'exciton n'est presque pas affecté.Ensuite, nous avons étudié l’effet que l’environnement nanoscopique a sur les propriétés optiques des TMDs. Pour ce faire, nous avons fabriqué un échantillon constituée de MoSe2/FLG/Au(111) et l'avons étudiée à l'aide d'un microscope à effet tunnel (STM) travaillant à 6 K et sous ultravide. Dans cette architecture, le graphene agit à la fois comme un substrat plat et comme une couche de découplage de l’or, tout en préservant une partie de l’amplification plasmonique fourni par la jonction métallique. Grâce à cette approche, nous avons démontré pour la première fois la luminescence des TMDs induite par un STM à basse température. Cette étude ouvre la voie pour des futures travaux concernant les hétérostructures de vdW.

During this thesis, we have fabricated and studied by optical spectroscopy, van der Waals heterostructures composed of semiconductor monolayers (transition metal dichalcogenides, TMD) coupled to a graphene monolayer or to a plasmonic resonator. We have observed significant changes in the dynamics of the TMD optically excited states (excitons) when it is in direct contact with graphene. Graphene neutralizes the TMD monolayer and enables non-radiative transfer of excitons within less than a few picoseconds. This energy transfer process may be accompanied by a considerably less efficient, extrinsic photodoping. The reduced lifetime of TMD excitons in the presence of graphene has been exploited to show that their valley pseudo-spin maintains a high degree of polarization and coherence up to room temperature. Finally, by strongly coupling TMD excitons to the modes of a geometric phase plasmonic resonator, we have demonstrated, at room temperature, that the momentum of the resulting chiral polaritons (chiralitons) is locked to their valley pseudo-spin.; Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons fabriqué et étudié par spectroscopie optique, des hétérostructures de van der Waals, composées de monofeuillets semi-conducteurs (dichalcogénures de métaux de transition, DMT) couplés à une monocouche de graphène ou à un résonateur plasmonique. Nous avons observé des modifications importantes de la dynamique des états excités optiquement dans le DMT (excitons) lorsque celui-ci est en contact avec le graphène. Le graphène neutralise la couche de DMT et permet un transfert non-radiatif d’excitons en moins de quelques picosecondes. Ce transfert d’énergie peut s’accompagner d’un photodopage extrinsèque considérablement moins efficace. La réduction de la durée de vie des excitons du DMT en présence de graphène a été exploitée pour montrer que leur pseudo-spin de vallée maintenait un degré de polarisation et de cohérence important jusqu’à température ambiante. Enfin, en couplant fortement les excitons d’un DMT aux modes d’un résonateur plasmonique à phase géométrique, nous avons mis en évidence, à température ambiante, le verrouillage du pseudo-spin de vallée sur la direction de propagation des polaritons chiraux (chiralitons) issus du couplage.

During this thesis, we have fabricated and studied by optical spectroscopy, van der Waals heterostructures composed of semiconductor monolayers (transition metal dichalcogenides, TMD) coupled to a graphene monolayer or to a plasmonic resonator. We have observed significant changes in the dynamics of the TMD optically excited states (excitons) when it is in direct contact with graphene. Graphene neutralizes the TMD monolayer and enables non-radiative transfer of excitons within less than a few picoseconds. This energy transfer process may be accompanied by a considerably less efficient, extrinsic photodoping. The reduced lifetime of TMD excitons in the presence of graphene has been exploited to show that their valley pseudo-spin maintains a high degree of polarization and coherence up to room temperature. Finally, by strongly coupling TMD excitons to the modes of a geometric phase plasmonic resonator, we have demonstrated, at room temperature, that the momentum of the resulting chiral polaritons (chiralitons) is locked to their valley pseudo-spin., Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons fabriqué et étudié par spectroscopie optique, des hétérostructures de van der Waals, composées de monofeuillets semi-conducteurs (dichalcogénures de métaux de transition, DMT) couplés à une monocouche de graphène ou à un résonateur plasmonique. Nous avons observé des modifications importantes de la dynamique des états excités optiquement dans le DMT (excitons) lorsque celui-ci est en contact avec le graphène. Le graphène neutralise la couche de DMT et permet un transfert non-radiatif d’excitons en moins de quelques picosecondes. Ce transfert d’énergie peut s’accompagner d’un photodopage extrinsèque considérablement moins efficace. La réduction de la durée de vie des excitons du DMT en présence de graphène a été exploitée pour montrer que leur pseudo-spin de vallée maintenait un degré de polarisation et de cohérence important jusqu’à température ambiante. Enfin, en couplant fortement les excitons d’un DMT aux modes d’un résonateur plasmonique à phase géométrique, nous avons mis en évidence, à température ambiante, le verrouillage du pseudo-spin de vallée sur la direction de propagation des polaritons chiraux (chiralitons) issus du couplage.

In this project, we have used micro-Raman and micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy to study two-dimensional materials (graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides) and van der Waals heterostructures. First, using electrochemically-gated graphene transistors, we show that Raman spectroscopy is an extremely sensitive tool for advanced characteri-zations of graphene samples. Then, we investigate the evolution of the physical properties of N-layer semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, in particular molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) and molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2). In these layered structures, theDavydov splitting of zone-center optical phonons is observed and remarkably well described by a ‘textbook’ force constant model. We then describe an all-optical study of interlayer charge and energy transfer in van der Waals heterostructures made of graphene and MoSe2 monolayers. This work sheds light on the very rich photophysics of these atomically thin two-dimensional materials and on their potential in view of optoelectronic applications.; Au cours de ce projet, nous avons utilisé la microspectroscopie Raman et de photoluminescence pour étudier des matériaux bidimensionnels (graphène et dichalcogénures de métaux de transition) et des hétérostructures de van der Waals. Tout d’abord, à l’aide de transistors de graphène munis d’une grille électrochimique, nous montrons que la spectroscopie Raman est un outil extrêmement performant pour caractériser précisément des échantillons de graphène. Puis, nous explorons l’évolution des propriétés physiques de N couches de dichalcogénures de métaux de transition semi-conducteurs, en particulier de ditellurure de molybdène (MoTe2) et de diséléniure de molybdène (MoSe2). Dans ces structures lamellaires, nous observons la séparation de Davydov des phonons optiques au centre de la première zone de Brillouin, que nous décrivons à l’aide d’un modèle de chaîne linéaire. Enfin, nous présentons une étude toute optique du transfert de charge et d’énergie dans des hétérostructures de van der Waals constituées de monocouches de graphène et de MoSe2. Ce travail de thèse met en évidence la riche photophysique de ces matériaux atomiquement fins et leur potentiel en vue de la réalisation de nouveaux dispositifs optoélectroniques.

This work presents a micro-Raman scattering study of undoped suspended graphene membranes. Raman spectroscopy is introduced as a fast and minimally invasive tool to estimate sample dependent built-in strain in suspended graphene, and is further employed to quantatively probe the membrane deflection, which may be induced either by an air pressure difference or electrostatically. In pressurized graphene blisters, an all-optical determination of the blister topography, the Young’s modulus and the Grüneisen parameters of graphene is achieved by a thorough analysis of the intensity and frequency of the main Raman modes. Electrostatic gating offers an elegant way to simultaneously strain and dope graphene. Raman measurements allow an accurate determination of the electrostatically-induced graphene deflection (up to irreversible collapse), in very good agreement with an electromechanical model.; Ce travail présente une étude par diffusion micro-Raman de membranes de graphène suspendu.La spectroscopie Raman est présentée comme un outil rapide et peu invasif pour estimer les contraintes natives dans du graphène suspendu et est utilisée pour en sonder quantitativement la déflexion, induite soit par une différence de pression d’air soit électrostatiquement. Dans des bulles de graphène pressurisées, une analyse minutieuse des intensités et fréquences des principaux modes Raman permet une détermination tout-op que de la topographie de la bulle, du module de Young et des paramètres de Grüneisen du graphène. Une grille électrostatique offre une manière élégante d’introduire à la fois des contraintes et du dopage dans le graphène. Des mesures Raman permettent une détermination précise de la déflection induite par la force électrostatique (jusqu’à l’effondrement irréversible), en très bon accord avec un modèle électromécanique.

My PhD subject is the FRET interaction (Förster-like resonant energy transfer) between single colloidal semiconductor nanostructures and graphene. The first part is about the development of the interaction theory with the graphene for several types of nanostructures. Then comes the experimental part, and firstly the optical setup together with the analysis methods, for both spectroscopy and photoluminescence. After that, we describe our results about different types of spherical nanocrystals directly interacting with graphene (which can be multilayer) : the energy transfer has a huge effect on the photoluminescence, as well as the blinking behaviour of the nanocrystals. Then we measure the dependency of the energy transfer as a function the distance ; in the case of quantum dots, we observe a 1/z^4 law. On another hand, in the case of nanoplatelets, the function is more complex and depends on the temperature.; Mes travaux de thèse portent sur l’interaction de type FRET (tranfert d’énergie résonant de Förster) entre une nanostructure semiconductrice colloïdale individuelle et le graphène. La première partie concerne l’établissement de la théorie du FRET et ce pour plusieurs types de nanostructures. Vient ensuite la partie expérimentale, à commencer par le montage optique ainsi que les méthodes d’analyse, tant pour la spectroscopie que pour la photoluminescence. Par la suite, nous décrivons les résultats obtenus pour divers types de nanocristaux sphériques en interaction directe avec le graphène (incluant des multicouches) : le transfert d’énergie a des effets drastiques sur la photoluminescence mais aussi sur le clignotement des nanocristaux. Puis nous étudions la dépendance du FRET avec la distance ; dans le cas des boîtes quantiques, nous observons une loi en 1/z^4. Par contre, dans le cas de nanoplaquettes, la fonction est plus complexe et dépend de la température.

The brain is mainly composed of neurons which ensure neuronal communication and glialcells which play a role in supporting and protecting the neural network. The extracellular space corresponds to the space that exists between all these cells and represents around 20 %of the whole brain volume. In this space, neurotransmitters and other molecules circulate into ensure optimal neuronal functioning and communication. Its complex organization whichis important to ensure proper functioning of the brain changes during aging, learning or neurodegenerative diseases. However, its local dimensions and viscosity are still poorly known.To understand these key parameters, in this thesis, we developed a strategy based on the tracking of single luminescent carbon nanotubes. We applied this strategy to measure the structural and viscous properties of the extracellular space of living rodent brains slices at the nanoscale. The organization of the manuscript is as follows. After an introduction of the photoluminescence properties of carbon nanotubes, we present the study that allowed us to select the optimal nanotube encapsulation protocol to achieve our biological applications. We also present a quantitative study describing the temperature increase of the sample when laser irradiations at different wavelengths are used to detect single nanotubes in a brain slice.Thanks to a fine analysis of the singular diffusion properties of carbon nanotubes in complex environments, we then present the strategy set up to reconstruct super-resolved maps (i.e. with resolution below the diffraction limit) of the brain extracellular space morphology.We also show that two local properties of this space can be extracted : a structural complexity parameter (tortuosity) and the fluid’s in situ viscosity seen by the nanotubes. This led us to propose a methodology allowing to model the viscosity in situ that would be seen, not by the nanotubes,but by any molecule of arbitrary sizes to simulate those intrinsically present or administered in the brain for pharmacological treatments. Finally, we present a strategy to make luminescent ultra-short carbon nanotubes that are not intrinsically luminescent and whose use could be a complementary approach to measure the local viscosity of the extracellular space of the brain.; Le cerveau est composé de neurones et de cellules gliales qui jouent un rôle de soutien et de protection du réseau cellulaire. L’espace extra-cellulaire (ECS) correspond à l’espace qui existe entre ces cellules. Les modifications de sa structure peuvent dépendre de plusieurs paramètres comme l’âge, l’apprentissage ou les maladies neuro-dégénératives. Le volume de l’ECS correspond à environ 20% du volume total du cerveau et les neurotransmetteurs et autres molécules circulent dans cet espace pour assurer une communication neuronale optimale. Cependant, les dimensions et la viscosité locale de cet espace restent encore mal-connues. L’ECS est composé entre autres de protéoglycans, de glycoaminoglycans (acide hyaluronique…) et de fluide cérébrospinal. Nous avons proposé dans cette thèse une stratégie pour mesurer les dimensions et les propriétés rhéologiques de l’espace extra-cellulaire de tranches de cerveaux de rats maintenue en vie à l’aide du suivi de nanotubes de carbone individuels luminescents. Pour ces applications, nous avons étudier la biocompatibilité et le rapport signal sur bruit de nos échantillons de nanotubes afin de les détecter en profondeur dans les tranches de cerveaux et de pouvoir mesurer leurs propriétés de diffusion.