Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots Formation in Glasses Controlled by Erbium Ions

Abstract

This paper reports the effect of Er2O3 concentration on nucleation and optical properties of PbS quantum dots (QDs) formed in a silicate glass under heat treatment at 490 degrees or 500 degrees C. As Er2O3 concentration increased from 0.1 to 0.4 mol%, average radii of PbS QDs decreased from similar to 5 to similar to 4 nm, and peak wavelengths of absorption and photoluminescence also decreased. Clusters of Er3+ ions connected by bridging oxygens may act as the nucleation centers for PbS QDs.