Organic-inorganic sol-gel composites incorporating semiconductor nanocrystals for optical gain applications

A hybrid host material based on two metal-alkoxide derived ormosils for incorporation of highly emitting CdSe-based core/shell quantum dots (QDs) and quantum rods (QRs) was investigated. Optical gain measurements under nanosecond excitation were performed and tunable ASE was demonstrated for a range of temperatures. The CdSe/ZnS QDs used in this study were grown using the methods of colloidal NC synthesis utilizing high temperature pyrolysis of organometallic precursors in coordinating organic solvents. The QD/composite film was prepared by drop-casting from a solution mixture of the QDs and matrix precursors. The film was cured in an oven at 100°C for a few days. The resultant film was 35μm thick and had an optical density of 0.38 at the excitation wavelength of 532 nm. It was observed that the hybrid organic-inorganic matrix allows the incorporation of nanocrystals (NCs) at a relatively high volume ratio.