Chapter 24 - Quantum Optics with Single CdSe/ZnS Colloidal Nanocrystals

• Published in: Handbook of Self Assembled Semiconductor Nanostructures for Novel Devices in Photonics and Electronics pp. 708 - 748
• Main Authors: Coolen, L., Brokmann, X., Hermier, J.P.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2008
• ISBN: 9780080463254; 0080463258
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-046325-4.00024-4

This chapter reviews CdSe/ZnS colloidal nanocrystals. The properties of CdSe colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are dominated by quantum confinement effects and depend crucially on their size. The size dispersion of the nanocrystals is lower than 5%. Controlling the size during synthesis, the wavelength in the visible spectrum can be tuned over several hundred of nanometers. Nanocrystals can be used at room temperature and present high photostability and high quantum efficiency. All these properties make them very attractive solid-state light sources, which have already been used in a wide range of applications such as the realization of optoelectronic devices as thin film LEDs or for biological labeling. At the single molecule level, CdSe colloidal nanocrystals exhibit very remarkable properties. The fluorescence is known to display fluorescence intermittency resulting in the alternation of dark and bright periods and showing exotic statistical properties. The aim of the chapter is to discuss the distinctive optical properties of colloidal quantum dots from the perspective of realizing quantum optics experiments. Nanocrystals with a CdSe core show the best optical properties in terms of photostability, radiative quantum efficiency, and photostability.