​Quantum dots (QD) are nanoscale semiconductor crystals, whose optical and electronic properties can be precisely tuned by changing their size, offering a promising route forward. The industrial success of these particles, however, depends on a reliable, sustainable and high-performing pipeline of QD materials.

Using the ULTRA facility at the Central Laser Facility (CLF), a research team from Quantum Science Ltd investigated the intrinsic properties of proposed QD materials for development and manufacture.

Challenge

Quantum Science Ltd supplies the industry with world class QD materials, designed to deliver exceptional performance in next-generation optoelectronic devices. To accelerate their growth to market, they required a granular understanding of the intrinsic properties of proposed materials for development.

Fully optimising material efficiency requires deep insight into fundamental electronic properties, specifically, the photoexcited charge lifetime. Measuring this charge lifetime is essential for predicting the suitability of QD materials for industrial scale use, and demands sophisticated infrastructure, typically found only in top-tier national research facilities, such as the CLF.

Approach

The Quantum Science Ltd team sought to measure material charge lifetimes across a wide spectral range in the infrared region. This data would allow the team to develop robust fitting models to extract precise lifetime values for each proposed QD film.

The investigation required advanced laser systems and time-resolved spectroscopy techniques, allowing the team to correlate chemical composition directly with electronic performance. This project brought together industrial expertise, with Dr Jake Mehew, technical lead at Quantum Science Ltd and in-house collaboration with Dr Igor Sazanovich, Senior Scientist at the CLF's ULTRA facility to produce a rich and successful dataset.

Benefits

The resulting dataset provided a direct link between the chemical makeup of the proposed QD films and their photoexcited charge lifetime. Crucially, this advanced analysis from the ULTRA Facility provided insights into material behaviours that extended beyond what was visible through standard characterisation methods.

By correlating these lifetime measurements with material efficiency, Quantum Science Ltd has not only significantly strengthened its internal R&D capabilities, it has also deepened the scientific understanding of how individual chemicals influence electronic properties. With an ultimate goal of producing high quality nanomaterials optimised for best performance at an industrial scale, the research successfully aided in accelerating the development of improved QD films for future market applications.

Quote

“At Quantum Science, our mission is to push the boundaries of material performance. Collaborating with the CLF provided us with access to the ULTRA facility's world-class spectroscopy tools, allowing us to validate the fundamental electronic properties of our quantum dots with incredible precision. The insights gained into charge lifetimes have been instrumental, helping us confirm optimal material compositions and accelerating our ability to deliver superior infrared sensing technology to our customers."

-        Dr Cong-Duan Vo, CTO, Quantum Science Ltd​