What are “Quantum Dots”?

Introduction

Quantum dots are nano-meter-scale "boxes" for selectively holding

or releasing electrons. Over the past 14 years they have been
transformed from laboratory curiosities to the building blocks for a
future computer industry. Quantum dots are small metal or
semiconductor boxes that hold a well-defined number of electrons.
The number of electrons in a dot may be adjusted by changing the
dot's electrostatic environment. Dots have been made ranging from
30nm to 1 micron in size, and holding from zero to hundreds of
electrons.

Brief History
During the1980's ideas concerning the Quantum Dot surfaced when
researchers in the field of computing were trying to construct
something close to "nano-scale" in the field of computing.

The Mechanism of Quantum Dot

By using an external light (e.g. Ultraviolet) on nano-crystals (e.g.
made from semiconductor materials such as zinc sulphide, cadmium
selenide, indium phosphide or lead sulphide), the nano-crystal will
absorb the light and then, as a result of the crystal being stimulated
by the absorbed light, it will re-emit the light, usually of a certain
colour, depending on the size of the quantum dot.

It has been observed in experiments and shown theoretically that

reducing the dimensions of a quantum dot raises the effective
operating temperature of the electron confinement device. Present
day quantum dots are large enough (approximately 1-10 microns
long and wide) that they require cooling with liquid helium or, at
least, liquid nitrogen, to cryogenic temperatures. However, for a
practical technology with widespread applications based upon such
quantum-effect devices, it will be necessary to achieve room
temperature operation. This requirement implies that it is necessary
to invent and manufacture molecular-scale quantum dots that are
only approximately 1 to 10 nanometers in linear dimension. Such a
quantum dot would probably be constructed as a single molecule i.e.
a molecular quantum dot. Molecular quantum dots are one example
of the next-generation technology known as Molecular-scale
electronics.

Professor James Tour of the University of South Carolina and

Professor Mark Reed of Rale University are collaborating on the
chemical synthesis and testing of molecular wires. These operate by
allowing electrons to move nearly ballistically along the length of a
chain of ring-like chemical structures with conjugated pi-orbitals.
It has been suggested by Tour and by others, that it may be possible
to insert chemical groups of lower conductance into such a molecular
wire, creating paired barriers to electron migration through the chain.
Such barriers might create a molecular quantum-effect device that
would function in a fashion similar to solid-state resonance tunnelling
devices that already have been fabricated, tested, and applied in
prototype quantum-effect logic.

Work in the area of quantum-based devices for nano-scale metrology

will be directed to fabricating an ultra-small SQUID (Superconducting
Quantum Interference Device) for applications in single-particle
detection. The fabrication of such a device will be a significant
achievement, and should prove important in areas such as future
nano-scale frequency standards, emerging quantum computer and
single-particle sensor technologies and in the study of adatom-
surface interactions.

Many researchers in nano-electronics are talking of a possible

architecture for computer logic based on quantum dots. As mentioned
previously, a quantum dot is a box that holds a discrete number of
electrons. Adjusting electric fields in the neighbourhood of the dot,
for example by applying a voltage to a nearby metal gate, can change
this number. Of course, since quantum dots are fabricated in solids,
not in vacuum, there are many electrons in them. However, almost all
of these are tightly bound to atoms in the solid. The few electrons
spoken of are extra ones beyond those that are tightly bound. These
extra electrons could roam free in a solid were they are not confined
in a quantum dot.

In nano-structures, the electrical properties can be markedly

different from their macroscopic equivalents thereby revealing many
novel effects. "Progress in the field has been hampered by two
problems," said Arizona State University Chemistry Professor Devens
Gust. "The first has been in making robust, reproducible electrical
connections to both ends of molecules. After this has been achieved,
the next problem is knowing how many molecules there actually are
between the electrical contacts."

Applications

The uses or possible future uses of Quantum Dots can cover various
applications with impressive futuristic results.

The following are just few examples:

1. Quantum computers.
2. Domestic and office lighting applications.
3. Medical Applications.
4. Television screens and monitors.
5. Silicon Photovoltaic cells.
Conclusion

Generally speaking, atoms are quantum dots, however, adding a

number of molecules together in small space, produce the quantum
dots effects.
Addition or removal of an electron changes the properties of a
quantum dot, resulting in a “benefit” in one way or another.
Quantum Dots and their applications are the next step in the field of
nanotechnology, which in the future will bring applications in
commercial and non-commercial fields. Quantum Dots may be still in
the research stage at the present time, however, their applications
and the benefits which they will bring along has already encouraged
companies and governmental organisations to invest heavily in this
field.

Najib Altawell

References

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Vanmaekelbergh, Frequency-dependent spontaneous emission rate from
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Letters, 95, 236804 (2005).
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"Observation of discrete electronic states in a zero-dimensional
semiconductor nanostructure". Phys Rev Lett 60 (6): 535-537. PMID
10038575. (1988).
3. Reed MA (1993). “Quantum Dots” (PDF). Scientific American 268 (1): 118.

4. Murray CB, Norris DJ, Bawendi MG (1993). "Synthesis and characterization

of nearly monodisperse CdE (E = S, Se, Te) semiconductor nanocrystallites"
(PDF). J Am Chem Soc 115: 8706-15.
5. Peng ZA, Peng X (2001). "Formation of high-quality CdTe, CdSe, and CdS
nanocrystals using CdO as precursor" (PDF). J Am Chem Soc 123: 183-4.
6. Wang C, Shim M, Guyot-Sionnest P (2001). "Electrochromic nanocrystal
quantum dots" (PDF). Science 291: 2390-2.

© Altawell 2008