Most SWCNTs can emit spectrally narrow near-IR fluorescence at wavelengths that are characteristic of their precise diameter and chiral angle. Near-IR fluorimetry therefore offers a powerful approach for identifying the structural species present in SWCNT samples. Such characterization is increasingly important for nanotube production, study, separation, and applications. Fluorescence methods are highly effective for detecting SWCNTs in challenging samples such as complex environmental or biological specimens because of the methods’ high sensitivity and selectivity and the near absence of interfering background emission at near-IR wavelengths.