Quantum Dots
Safety Warnings
Warning: Sealed Vial Handling
Purpose
Quantum dots of different sizes fluoresce in distinct colors under blue LED excitation, demonstrating quantum confinement. Students connect the size-dependent emission to the particle-in-a-box model: smaller dots have larger energy gaps and emit shorter-wavelength light.
Figure 1:
Four quantum dot solutions of decreasing nanocrystal size fluoresce from orange to green under blue LED excitation. Smaller dots emit shorter-wavelength (higher-energy) light due to quantum confinement.
Figure 2:
OceanView software displays the fluorescence emission spectrum of a quantum dot sample measured via fiber optic cable, with the illuminated vial rack visible at right.