| Authors: | P. Geiregat, A. J. Houtepen, L. K. Sagar, I. Infante, F. Zapata, V. Grigel, G. Allan, C. Delarue, D. Van Thourhout, Z. Hens | | Title: | Continuous-wave infrared optical gain and amplified spontaneous emission at ultralow threshold by colloidal HgTe quantum dots | | Format: | International Journal | | Publication date: | 10/2017 | | Journal/Conference/Book: | Nature Materials
| | Editor/Publisher: | Springer Nature, | | Volume(Issue): | 17 p.35-42 | | DOI: | 10.1038/nmat5000 | | Citations: | 120 (Dimensions.ai - last update: 24/11/2024)
89 (OpenCitations - last update: 27/6/2024)
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Abstract
Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) raise more and more interest as solution-processable and tunable optical gain materials. However, especially for infrared active QDs, optical gain remains inefficient. Since stimulated emission involves multifold degenerate band-edge states, population inversion can be attained only at high pump power and must compete with efficient multi-exciton recombination. Here, we show that mercury telluride (HgTe) QDs exhibit size-tunable stimulated emission throughout the near-infrared telecom window at thresholds unmatched by any QD studied before. We attribute this unique behaviour to surface-localized states in the bandgap that turn HgTe QDs into 4-level systems. The resulting long-lived population inversion induces amplified spontaneous emission under continuous-wave optical pumping at power levels compatible with solar irradiation and direct current electrical pumping. These results introduce an alternative approach for low-threshold QD-based gain media based on intentional trap states that paves the way for solution-processed infrared QD lasers and amplifiers. Related Research Topics
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