Photophysics of small semiconductor clusters: the effects of quantum confinement and dielectric confinement

Abstract

Small semiconductor cluster in the size regime of tens to hundreds of A represents a fascinating new class of materials. The advancement in cluster syntheses now allows us to study their size-dependent properties systematically. In this paper we report recent progress towards the understanding of the quantum size effect and the dielectric confinement effect. The effects of surface-trapped electron-hole pair on the photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of CdS clusters as well as the exciton luminescent properties of ammonia-passivated CdS clusters will also be discussed.