(Invited) Realizing Narrow Bandwidth Visible Photoluminescence from Colloidal Silicon Quantum Dots

Abstract

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) are an attractive alternative to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that have attracted attention for next generation optoelectronic devices due to their high colour-saturated photoluminescence, processability, and stability. Existing QD-LEDs often employ toxic or rare metals (e.g., Cd, Pb, In, etc.). Although colloidal silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are an attractive alternative because of their abundance, biocompatibility and tailorable surface chemistry, tuning their luminescence throughout the visible spectrum can be challenging. Furthermore, SiQD emission shows a comparatively wide bandwidth that is a consequence of the inherent properties of the Si band structure. As a result the narrowing SiQD luminescence is not readily achieved by straightforward size selection methods used for other quantum dots. One alternative approach is to prepare optical cavities that preferentially select specific emission wavelengths using optical structures. This presentation will outline our investigations targeted on realizing bright, high quantum yield, narrow bandwidth luminescence from SiQD-polymer hybrids.