Technical Insight
Quantum dots with near-infrared output (research review)
Describing work undertaken at the University of Nebraska, S Bandyopadhyay and co-workers (Applied Physics Letters 2000, 76, p137) depict self-assembled quantum dots made using an electrochemically-manufactured nanoporous template. PL and Raman studies indicate that these dots confine electrons and holes in a volume with a radius of 3.5 nm, and have shown inter-subband absorption at room temperature at 3.3 m. This holds promise for room-temperature quantum dot infrared photodetectors. A number of potential applications are envisaged, including quantum dot static memory with unprecedented density (> $1 terabit/sq. inch) and ultra-fast, low-threshold non-linear optical switches, mixers, frequency converters and couplers (see ).
