Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for radionuclide probes, methods of using the radionuclide probes, methods of detecting an optical signal from radionuclides, methods of detecting an optical signal from a quantum dot(s) that receives optical energy from a radionuclide(s), system for analyzing optical energy emitted by a radionuclide(s), system for imaging a target within a living subject or a sample, methods of imaging a disease or condition, and the like.