Paul Mundra

Colloidal nanocrystals embedded in macrocrystals : robustness, photostability, and color purity

The incorporation of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) into ionic crystals of various salts (NaCl, KCl, KBr, etc.) is demonstrated. The resulting mixed crystals of various shapes and beautiful colors preserve the strong luminescence of the incorporated QDs. Moreover, the ionic salts appear to be very tight matrices, ensuring the protection of the QDs from the environment and as a result providing them with extraordinary high photo- and chemical stability. A prototype of a white light-emitting diode (WLED) with a color conversion layer consisting of this kind of mixed crystals is demonstrated. These materials may also find applications in nonlinear optics and as luminescence standards.

Hemispherical resonators with embedded nanocrystal quantum rod emitters

We report a technique to prepare hemispherical resonators on a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). This so-called hydrophobic spreading allows the creation of hemispherical structures with diameters ranging from 5 to 50 μm. By embedding semiconductor nanocrystal quantum rods (NQRs) into these structures, we achieve a coupling of their emission into whispering-gallery modes. Although the NQR-emission is confined in three dimensions, the DBR is transparent for the excitation, allowing selective excitation of different regions of the hemisphere. Employing a two-dimensional model to approximately describe relevant modes, we are able to estimate the refractive index and diameters of the hemispheres from spectral data.

Automated setup for spray assisted layer-by-layer deposition

The design for a setup allowing the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of thin films consisting of various colloidal materials is presented. The proposed system utilizes the spray-assisted LbL approach and is capable of autonomously producing films. It provides advantages to existing LbL procedures in terms of process speed and applicability. The setup offers several features that are advantageous for routine operation like an actuated sample holder, stainless steel spraying nozzles, or an optical liquid detection system. The applicability is demonstrated by the preparation of films containing semiconductor nanoparticles, namely, CdSe∕CdS quantum dots and a polyelectolyte. The films of this type are of potential interest for applications in optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes or solar cells.