Influence of annealing temperature on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots

The properties of ZnO quantum dots (QDs) synthesized by the sol-gel process are reported. The primary focus is on investigating the origin of the visible emission from ZnO QDs by the annealing process. The X-ray diffraction results show that ZnO QDs have hexagonal wurtzite structure and the QD diameter estimated from Debye-Scherrer formula is 8.9 nm, which has a good agreement with the results from transmission electron microscopy images and the theoretical calculation based on the Potential Morphing Method. The room-temperature photoluminescence spectra reveal that the ultraviolet excitation band has a red shift. Meanwhile, the main band of the visible emission shifts to the green luminescence band from the yellow luminescence one with the increase of the annealing temperature. A lot of oxygen atoms enter into Zn vacancies and form oxygen antisites with increasing temperature. That is probably the reason for the change of the visible emission band.     

Self-assembled SiGe quantum dots embedded in Ge matrix by Si ion implantation and subsequent annealing

We have fabricated SiGe quantum dots (QDs) by means of a two-step Si ion implantation followed by thermal rapid thermal annealing (RTA) method. SiGe QDs with the 4–6 nm diameter are formed uniformly in the near-surface region of Ge substrate. The RTA processes are performed at 800 and 900 °C for 15 s, respectively. Both experimental and theoretical analysis indicates that the higher temperature (900 °C) RTA can enhance the growth of SiGe QDs. Two photoluminescence peaks are observed near 572 and 581 nm at room temperature. The mechanism of the luminescence from SiGe QDs is discussed.     

Interband photoconductivity of Ge/Si structures with self-organized quantum rings

At low temperatures a lateral photoconductivity (PC) of Ge/Si (1 0 0) self-organized quantum rings (QRs) structures as a function of interband light intensity has been investigated for different values of lateral voltage and temperature. In contrast to self-organized Ge/Si quantum dots (QDs) structures (grown at the same conditions) where the stepped PC was registered, for QRs structures essential smoothing of PC steps was observed. Such behavior is determined by decreasing of strain potential around QRs in conductive Si matrix due to a transfer of Ge atoms from the center of QDs to its periphery accompanied by Ge/Si intermixing.     

掺杂对多层Ge/Si(001)量子点光致发光的影响

利用超高真空化学气相沉积设备, 在Si (001) 衬底上外延生长了多个四层Ge/Si量子点样品. 通过原位掺杂的方法, 对不同样品中的Ge/Si量子点分别进行了未掺杂、磷掺杂和硼掺杂. 相比未掺杂的样品, 磷掺杂不影响Ge/Si量子点的表面形貌, 但可以有效增强其室温光致发光; 而硼掺杂会增强Ge/Si量子点的合并, 降低小尺寸Ge/Si量子点的密度, 但其光致发光会减弱. 磷掺杂增强Ge/Si量子点光致发光的原因是, 磷掺杂为Ge/Si量子点提供了更多参与辐射复合的电子. 关键词： Ge/Si量子点 磷掺杂 光致发光     

Synthesis of stable dispersion of ZnO quantum dots in aqueous medium showing visible emission from bluish green to yellow

Aqueous dispersion of 4-8 nm size stable ZnO quantum dots (QDs) exhibiting luminescence in the visible region have been synthesized by a simple solution growth technique at room temperature. Silica has been used as capping agent to control the particle size as well as to achieve uniform dispersion of QDs in aqueous medium. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis reveals formation phase pure ZnO particles having wurzite (hexagonal) structure. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images show that the particles are spherical in shape, having average crystalline sizes ∼4, 5.5 and 8 nm for samples prepared at pH values of 10, 12 and 14, respectively. From the optical absorption studies, the band gap energy of QDs is found to be blue shifted as compared to bulk ZnO (3.36 eV) due to the quantum confinement effect and is consistent with the band gap calculated by using effective-mass approximation model. The photoluminescence (PL) observed in these QDs has been attributed to the presence of defect centers.     

On mechanism of the growth of the optical transitions strengths in Ge-quantum dots embedded in Si matrix

The Si/Ge heterostructure, the active area of which is composed of the Ge quantum dots (QD), is investigated theoretically. The high density of the Ge QDs array cannot be the dominant feature in the choice of an adequate model that can explain the experimentally observed increase in the intensity of luminescence. In the basis of such model the conditions are laid that increase the oscillator strength of exciton due to the ‘retraction’ of electronic states into the Ge QD core.     

Resonant Raman scattering of discrete hole states in self-assembled Si/Ge quantum dots

We report the first resonant electronic Raman spectroscopy study of discrete electronic transitions within small p-doped self-assembled Si/Ge quantum dots (QDs). A heavy hole (hh) to light hole (lh) Raman transition with a dispersionless energy of 105 meV and a resonance energy of the hh states to virtually localised electrons at the direct band gap of 2.5 eV are observed. The hh–lh transition energy shifts to lower values with increasing annealing temperature due to significant intermixing of Si and Ge in the QDs. Structural parameters of the small Si/Ge dots have been determined and introduced into 6-band k·p valence band structure calculations. Both the value of the electronic Raman transition of localised holes as well as the resonance energy at the E₀ gap are in excellent agreement with the calculations.     

Manipulating Ge quantum dots on ultrathin SixGe1−x oxide films using scanning tunneling microscope tips

Germanium quantum dots (QDs) were extracted from ultrathin Si_xGe_1−x oxide films using scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips. The extraction was most efficiently performed at a positive sample bias voltage of +5.0 V. The tunneling current dependence of the extraction efficiency was explained by the electric field evaporation transfer mechanism for positive Ge ions from QDs to STM tips. Ge QDs (∼7 nm) were formed and isolated spatially by extracting the surrounding Ge QDs with an ultrahigh density of >10¹² cm⁻². Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of the spatially-isolated QDs revealed that QDs with an ultrahigh density are electrically-isolated from the adjacent dots.     

Growth and optical properties of Ge/Si quantum dots formed on patterned SiO2/Si(0 0 1) substrates

Single and stacked layers of Ge/Si quantum dots were grown in SiO₂ windows patterned by electron-beam lithography on oxidized Si (0 0 1) substrates. The growth of a silicon buffer layer prior to Ge deposition is found to be an additional parameter for adjusting the Ge-dot nucleation process. We show that the silicon buffer layer evolves towards [1 1 3]-faceted pyramids, which reduces the area of the topmost (0 0 1) surface available for Ge nucleation. By controlling the top facet area of the Si buffer layers, only one dot per circular window and a high cooperative arrangement of dots on a striped window can be achieved. In stacked layers, the dot homogeneity can be improved through the adjustment of the Ge deposited amount in the upper layers. The optical properties of these structures measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy are also reported. In comparison with self-assembled quantum dots, we observed, both in single and stacked layers, the absence of the wetting-layer component and an energy blue shift, confirming therefore the dot formation by selective growth.     

Mechanism for coarsening of P-mediated Ge quantum dots during in-situ annealing

The coarsening of phosphorus-mediated Ge quantum dots (QDs) on Si(0 0 1) during in-situ annealing at 550 °C is studied. In-situ annealing makes the as-grown sample morphology be remarkably changed: the larger dots are formed and the dot density is greatly reduced. The results of chemical etching and Raman spectra reveal that the incorporation of Ge atoms which originate from the diminishing dots, rather than substrate Si atom incorporation is responsible for the dot coarsening at the incipient stage of in-situ annealing. Besides, Raman spectra suggest that the larger dots formed during in-situ annealing are dislocated, which was confirmed by cross-sectional high-resolution electron microscopy observation. Through the generation of dislocations, the strain in the dots is relaxed by about 50%.     

Chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer in the luminol-CdTe quantum dots conjugates

The luminol-CdTe quantum dots (QDs) conjugates were prepared through the reaction between -NH₂ and -COOH. The resonance energy transfer between chemiluminescence donor (luminol-H₂O₂ system) and quantum dots (QDs, with different emission peaks) acceptors (CRET) was investigated. The luminescence of QDs in luminol-QDs conjugates in the process of CRET was influenced by the molar ratio of luminol/QDs. It could reach higher luminescence intensity while the luminol/QDs value was 1/1. Quantum yield of QDs and overlapping areas between the emission spectrum of luminol and adsorption spectrum of QDs played important roles in the CRET efficiency of luminol-QDs conjugates. The higher CRET efficiency (21.2%) was observed when the 540 nm QDs were used as acceptors. This work will offer helpful knowledge for the CRET studies based on QDs.     

Regular array of InGaAs quantum dots with 100-nm-periodicity formed on patterned GaAs substrates

Regular arrays of InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) with a 100-nm-periodicity have been successfully fabricated by controlling the nucleation sites on artificially prepared nano-hole arrays. The nucleation probability of a single QD at each nano-hole reached 100% by depositing InGaAs at low temperature and subsequent annealing. Four InGaAs QD layers were vertically stacked while conserving the regularity, and the stacked QD array has shown a clear photoluminescence peak at room temperature. We discuss the effects of several growth conditions on the nucleation probability of QDs.     

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy： A Novel Technique for Determination of Luminescence of Quantum Dots

The time-resolved photoluminescence （PL） spectroscopy measured by the gradually increasing start delay time is utilized as a tool for the determination of the luminescence of quantmn dots （QDs）. The luminescence evolution of self-assembled CdSe QDs during the luminescence decay is fully revealed in terms of the experiment technique. The characteristic narrow luminescence lines of self-assembled CdSe QDs are obtained with increasing start delay time.     

The microstructure of vertically coupled quantum dots ensembles by EXAFS spectroscopy

The microstructure of samples containing Ge/Si, GaN/AlN, and InAs/AlAs (Ge, GaN, and InAs quantum dots (QDs) in the Si, AlN, and AlAs matrices, respectively) multilayer heterostructures has been investigated by EXAFS spectroscopy. The effect of the effective thicknesses of Si (or AlN) barrier layers, number of Ge (or GaN) layers in a sandwich, and annealing temperature on the size and shape of Ge (or GaN) clusters, interfacial diffusion in these systems, and formation of three-dimensional ordered ensembles of QDs has been established.     

Photoluminescence from site-selected coupling between quantum dots and microtoroid cavities

By using CdSe/ZnS quantum dots （QDs）, we study the effect of cavity quantum electrodynamics on the coupling of the microtoroid cavity. When with whispering gallery （WG） modes, the microtoroid cavity demonstrates high quality factor and small mode volume at visible wavelengths. Accordingly, fiber tapers allow QDs to adhere into the cavity and further permit the control of site-selected coupling. From the luminescence spectra, QDs are modulated effectively by cavity modes, Variable modulations are observed by changing QD coupling conditions. Therefore, based on experimental and theoretical research, strong and tunable Purcell enhancement can be realized by this system.     

The influence of the quantum dot/polymethylmethacrylate composite preparation method on the stability of its optical properties under laser radiation

Photoluminescent semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum dots (QDs), are nowadays one of the most promising materials for developing a new generation of fluorescent labels, new types of light-emitting devices and displays, flexible electronic components, and solar panels. In many areas the use of QDs is associated with an intense optical excitation, which, in the case of a prolonged exposure, often leads to changes in their optical characteristics. In the present work we examined how the method of preparation of quantum dot/polymethylmethacrylate (QD/PMMA) composite influenced the stability of the optical properties of QD inside the polymer matrix under irradiation by different laser harmonics in the UV (355 nm) and visible (532 nm) spectral regions. The composites were synthesized by spin-coating and radical polymerization methods. Experiments with the samples obtained by spin-coating showed that the properties of the QD/PMMA films remain almost constant at values of the radiation dose below ~10 fJ per particle. Irradiating the composites prepared by the radical polymerization method, we observed a monotonic increase in the luminescence quantum yield (QY) accompanied by an increase in the luminescence decay time regardless of the wavelength of the incident radiation. We assume that the observed difference in the optical properties of the samples under exposure to laser radiation is associated with the processes occurring during radical polymerization, in particular, with charge transfer from the radical particles inside QDs. The results of this study are important for understanding photophysical properties of composites on the basis of QDs, as well as for selection of the type of polymer and the composite synthesis method with quantum dots that would allow one to avoid the degradation of their luminescence.     

Manganese Doped Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots for Detection of Escherichia coli

A novel biocompatible chitosan passivated manganese doped zinc sulfide (Mn doped ZnS) nanophosphor has been synthesized through a simple aqueous precipitation reaction. Upon excitation with ultraviolet light, the quantum dots (QDs) emit an orange luminescence peaking at 590 nm, which is visible to the naked eye. These chitosan coated Mn doped ZnS QDs can have potential applications in bio-labeling, particularly in fluorescence-based imaging. One of the envisioned applications of these QDs is in improving the conventional, organic dye-reliant Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) technique, a widely used method for microbial detection. Here we demonstrate that the chitosan-capped Mn doped ZnS QDs are suitable for this purpose.     

Small and high-density GeSiC dots stacked on buried Ge hut-clusters in Si

Self-assembled GeSiC dots stacked on a Ge hut-cluster layer buried in Si have been investigated. The critical thickness for formation of GeSiC dots is reduced owing to the strain fields from the buried hut-clusters. By utilizing the stacked structure, the dot size is decreased and the uniformity is improved. The highest density of the GeSiC dots with stacked structures is 7.4×10¹⁰ cm⁻², which is six times larger than that of single GeSiC dots. The formation of the self-assembled GeSiC dots is strongly influenced by being stacked with buried Ge dots as well as C incorporation.     

Densely packed Ge quantum dots grown on SiO2/Si substrate

We studied the growing process of Ge dots on silicon substrates covered with an ultrathin silicon dioxide buffer layer which was formed with simple chemical procedure. Uniform and densely packed (10¹¹ cm⁻²) quantum dots (QDs) were obtained by optimizing the growth parameter with the MBE method. The influence of temperature, coverage, as well as the post-annealing process, on the epitaxial and non-epitaxial nanodots formation was evaluated. Nano-sized high density quantum dots were also realized with different growing conditions, whose structural and growing mechanism were discussed under the help of SEM and RHEED results.     

Temperature dependence of photoluminescence from self-organized Ge quantum dots with large size and low density

Photoluminescence(PL) from self-organized Ge quantum dots(QDs) with large size and low density has been investigated over a temperature range from 10 to 300 K using continuous-wave(CW) optical excitation.The integrated PL intensity of QDs observed is negligible at about 10 K and rapidly increases with raising temperature up to 100 K.Through analyzing the PL experimental data of the QDs and wetting layer(WL),we provide direct evidence that there exists a potential barrier,arising from the greater compressive...