Toward active nanophotonic using colloidal quantum dots

Introduction

AQDtive project targets the design of an all nanocrystal (NC) based active imaging setup. This includes the design of a focal plane array (FPA) (i.e., a camera) whose active layer is made of narrow band gap NCs and which light-matter coupling will be designed to enhance the light absorption.

New Functionalities

Other new functionalities such as a bias reconfigurable spectral response are also targeted to transform NCs into a viable platform for active nanophotonics.

NC-Based LEDs

A second key development of AQDtive is the design of NC-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) with operation from 2 to 5 µm. This spectral range corresponds to a spectral window where electroluminescence of NCs is currently not reported and where bright sources remain technologically challenging.

1. A bright LED will then be coupled to a FPA to obtain an all NC-based active imaging setup.

Electronic Structure Investigation

Last, to support the development of such a device, AQDtive includes a deep investigation of the electronic structure in operando. A unique setup will be fabricated that enables pump-probe photoemission measurements while the device is pumped under resonant (i.e., with band edge energy) conditions and while the device is under operation (i.e., under bias application).

Direct Imaging of Energy Landscape

Moreover, using nanobeam photoemission, I target to obtain a direct imaging of the device energy landscape in operando.

Conclusion

Together, these objectives will enable a new generation of infrared sensors operated in the extended short and mid-wave infrared, that will be collaboratively transferred to industrial partners.