Enhanced trion emission from colloidal quantum dots with photonic crystals by two-photon excitation

Fluorescence in colloidal solutions: Scattering vs physicochemical effects on line shape

Line shapes of anionic fluorescein fluorescence in suspensions of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNP), anionic and cationic micelles, lipid vesicles, and of laurdan in lipid vesicles were investigated. Computed second harmonic of measured spectra indicated three lines for fluorescein and two for laurdan. Accordingly, fluorescein spectra were fit to three Gaussians and laurdan spectra to two lognormal distributions. Resolved line parameters were examined against particle concentration. Scattering, although wavelength dependent, affected intensity but not line shape. Inner filter effects of scattering on line shape are insignificant because multiple scattering, redirection of scattered photons into the detector, and inclusion of scattered photons in collection and detection minimize wavelength dependent effects. Dominant effects on line width and peak positions are due to physicochemical effects of dye-particle-solvent interactions rather than scattering. Fluorescein does not interact with anionic micelles and lipid vesicles, but remains in the aqueous phase, and responds to pH increase induced by these additives. Blue shift in peak position, decrease in line width, and increase in emission intensity in these systems are like those in NaOH solutions. Fluorescein does interact with cationic micelles and hydrophobic PSNP, and its emission is red shifted. Laurdan in lipid vesicles senses interface polarity. Blue shift and decrease in line width of its emission line indicate decreasing polarity with lipid concentration. Scattering, as well as interactions affect emission intensity. Physicochemical effects distort line shape and modify intrinsic spectra. Line shape changes are better markers than intensity to investigate interactions and reactions.

Resonant energy transfer between patterned InGaN/GaN quantum wells and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

We explore an easy method for preparation of a hybrid device of a photonic crystal InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) and colloidal quantum dots using conventional photolithography. It is demonstrated from electroluminescence spectra that Förster resonance energy transfer takes place efficiently between the photonic crystal InGaN/GaN QW and CdSe/ZnS colloidal quantum dots. From the photoluminescence decay of the InGaN/GaN QW, the largest Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency between the photonic crystal GaN quantum well and colloidal quantum dots is measured as 88% and the corresponding Förster-resonance-energy-transfer fraction reached 42%. An easy approach is explored to realize a highly efficient electrically driven colloidal quantum dot device using the Förster-resonance-energy-transfer mechanism.

Enhanced emission of charged-exciton polaritons from colloidal quantum dots on a SiN/SiO2 slab waveguide

We investigate the photoluminescence (PL) spectra and the time-resolved PL decay process from colloidal quantum dots on SiN/SiO₂ wet etched via BOE (HF:NH₄F:H₂O). The spectrum displays multi-peak shapes that vary with irradiation time. The evolution of the spectral peaks with irradiation time and collection angle demonstrates that the strong coupling of the charged-exciton emission to the leaky modes of the SiN/SiO₂ slab waveguide predominantly produces short-wavelength spectral peaks, resulting in multi-peak spectra. We conclude that BOE etching enhances the charged-exciton emission efficiency and its contribution to the total emission compared with the unetched case. BOE etching smoothes the electron confinement potential, thus decreasing the Auger recombination rate. Therefore, the charged-exciton emission efficiency is high, and the charged-exciton-polariton emission can be further enhanced through strong coupling to the leaky mode of the slab waveguide.