1. Introduction to photonic quantum dot nanomaterials and devices. 1.1. Physical properties of quantum dots. 1.2. Active semiconductor gain media. 1.3. Quantum dot lasers. 1.4. Laser cavities -- 2. Theory of quantum dot light-matter dynamics. 2.1. Rate equations. 2.2. Maxwell-Bloch equations. 2.3. Quantum luminescence equations. 2.4. Quantum theoretical description -- 3. Light meets matter I: microscopic carrier effect. 3.1. Dynamics in the active charge carrier plasma. 3.2. Dynamic level hole burning. 3.3. Ultrashort nonlinear gain and index dynamics. 3.4. Conclusion -- 4. Light meets matter II: mesoscopic space-time dynamics. 4.1. Introduction: transverse and longitudinal mode dynamics. 4.2. Influence of the transverse degree of freedom and nano-structuring on nearfield dynamics and spectra. 4.3. Longitudinal modes. 4.4. Coupled space-time dynamics. 4.5. Conclusion -- 5. Performance and characterisation: properties on large time and length scales. 5.1. Introduction. 5.2. Spatial and spectral beam quality. 5.3. Dynamic amplitude phase coupling. 5.4. Conclusion -- 6. Nonlinear pulse propagation in semiconductor quantum dot lasers. 6.1. Dynamic shaping of short optical pulses. 6.2. Nonlinear femtosecond dynamics. 6.3. Conclusion -- 7. High-speed dynamics. 7.1. Mode-locking in multi-section quantum dot lasers. 7.2. Dependence of pulse duration on injection current, bias voltage and device geometry. 7.3. Radio frequency spectra of the emitted light. 7.4. Short-pulse optimisation. 7.5. Conclusion -- 8. Quantum dot random lasers. 8.1. Spatially inhomogeneous semiconductor quantum dot ensembles. 8.2. Coherence properties. 8.3. Random lasing in semiconductor quantum dot ensembles. 8.4. Conclusion -- 9. Coherence properties of quantum dot micro-cavity lasers. 9.1. Introduction. 9.2. Radial signal propagation and coherence trapping. 9.3. Influence of disorder. 9.4. Conclusions

Quantum dots as nanomaterials have been extensively investigated in the past several decades from growth to characterization to applications. As the basis of future developments in the field, this book collects a series of state-of-the-art chapters on the current status of quantum dot devices and how these devices take advantage of quantum features. Written by 56 leading experts from 14 countries, the chapters cover numerous quantum dot applications, including lasers, LEDs, detectors, amplifiers, switches, transistors, and solar cells. Quantum Dot Devices is appropriate for researchers of all levels of experience with an interest in epitaxial and/or colloidal quantum dots. It provides the beginner with the necessary overview of this exciting field and those more experienced with a comprehensive reference source.

This book captures cutting-edge research in semiconductor quantum dot devices, discussing preparation methods and properties, and providing a comprehensive overview of their optoelectronic applications. Quantum dots (QDs), with particle sizes in the nanometer range, have unique electronic and optical properties. They have the potential to open an avenue for next-generation optoelectronic methods and devices, such as lasers, biomarker assays, field effect transistors, LEDs, photodetectors, and solar concentrators. By bringing together leaders in the various application areas, this book is both a comprehensive introduction to different kinds of QDs with unique physical properties as well as their preparation routes, and a platform for knowledge sharing and dissemination of the latest advances in a novel area of nanotechnology.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in the development of semiconductor nanostructures and nanophotonic devices. It covers epitaxial growth processes for GaAs- and GaN-based quantum dots and quantum wells, describes the fundamental optical, electronic, and vibronic properties of nanomaterials, and addresses the design and realization of various nanophotonic devices. These include energy-efficient and high-speed vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and ultra-small metal-cavity nano-lasers for applications in multi-terabus systems; silicon photonic I/O engines based on the hybrid integration of VCSELs for highly efficient chip-to-chip communication; electrically driven quantum key systems based on q-bit and entangled photon emitters and their implementation in real information networks; and AlGaN-based deep UV laser diodes for applications in medical diagnostics, gas sensing, spectroscopy, and 3D printing. The experimental results are accompanied by reviews of theoretical models that describe nanophotonic devices and their base materials. The book details how optical transitions in the active materials, such as semiconductor quantum dots and quantum wells, can be described using a quantum approach to the dynamics of solid-state electrons under quantum confinement and their interaction with phonons, as well as their external pumping by electrical currents. With its broad and detailed scope, this book is indeed a cutting-edge resource for researchers, engineers and graduate-level students in the area of semiconductor materials, optoelectronic devices and photonic systems.

This book outlines various synthetic approaches, tuneable physical properties, and device applications of core/shell quantum dots (QDs). Core/shell QDs have exhibited enhanced quantum yield (QY), suppressed photobleaching/blinking, and significantly improved photochemical/physical stability as compared to conventional bare QDs. The core-shell structure also promotes the easy tuning of QDs’ band structure, leading to their employment as attractive building blocks in various optoelectronic devices. The main objective of this book is to create a platform for knowledge sharing and dissemination of the latest advances in novel areas of core/shell QDs and relevant devices, and to provide a comprehensive introduction and directions for further research in this growing area of nanomaterials research.

Volume is indexed by Thomson Reuters CPCI-S (WoS). This book consists of a collection of 74 original peer-reviewed papers. They cover a wide range of topics in the interesting field of nano-structure related semiconductor photonics; a field which encompasses quantum dots, quantum wire, nano-wire, nano-rods, nano-crystals, photonic crystals, ZnO-based materials, III-V compound semiconductors, Si photonics and organic optoelectronic devices.

The contributions in this volume were presented at a NATO Advanced Study Institute held in Erice, Italy, 4-19 July 2013. Many aspects of important research into nanophotonics, plasmonics, semiconductor materials and devices, instrumentation for bio sensing to name just a few, are covered in depth in this volume. The growing connection between optics and electronics, due to the increasing important role plaid by semiconductor materials and devices, find their expression in the term photonics, which also reflects the importance of the photon aspect of light in the description of the performance of several optical systems. Nano-structures have unique capabilities that allow the enhanced performance of processes of interest in optical and photonic devices. In particular these structures permit the nanoscale manipulation of photons, electrons and atoms; they represent a very hot topic of research and are relevant to many devices and applications. The various subjects bridge over the disciplines of physics, biology and chemistry, making this volume of interest to people working in these fields. The emphasis is on the principles behind each technique and on examining the full potential of each technique.

The book focuses on innovative photonic and photoactive materials and such topics as photonic structures, silicon photonics, nanomaterials, plasmonics, graphene quantum dots, optically active defects, fluorescent materials and optical sensors. The generation of light, absorption, emission, transmission, optical sensing and probing, signal processing and data transmission are some of the properties related to this growing field. Keywords: Photonic Structures, Silicon Photonics, Plasmonics, Silver Nanoparticles, Graphene Quantum Dots, Optically Active Defects, Fluorescent Materials, Optical Sensors, Fullerene, Proton Beam Detectors, Lithium Fluoride Films, Signal Processing, Data Transmission.

The intersection of nanostructured materials with photonics and electronics shows great potential for clinical diagnostics, sensors, ultrafast telecommunication devices, and a new generation of compact and fast computers. Nanophotonics draws upon cross-disciplinary expertise from physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, biology, and medicine to create novel technologies to meet a variety of challenges. This is the first book to focus on novel materials and techniques relevant to the burgeoning area of nanoscale photonics and optoelectronics, including novel-hybrid materials with multifunctional capabilities and recent advancements in the understanding of optical interactions in nanoscale materials and quantum-confined objects. Leading experts provide a fundamental understanding of photonics and the related science and technology of plasmonics, polaritons, quantum dots for nanophotonics, nanoscale field emitters, near-field optics, nanophotonic architecture, and nanobiophotonic materials.

This book introduces the wider field of functional nanomaterials sciences, with a strong emphasis on semiconductor photonics. Whether you are studying photonic quantum devices or just interested in semiconductor nanomaterials and their benefits for optoelectronic applications, this book offers you a pedagogical overview of the relevant subjects along with topical reviews. The book discusses different yet complementary studies in the context of ongoing international research efforts, delivering examples from both fundamental and applied research to a broad readership. In addition, a hand-full of useful optical techniques for the characterization of semiconductor quantum structures and materials are addressed. Moreover, nanostructuring methods for the production of low-dimensional systems, which exhibit advantageous properties predominantly due to quantum effects, are summarized. Science and engineering professionals in the interdisciplinary domains of nanotechnology, photonics, materials sciences, and quantum physics can familiarize themselves with selected highlights with eyes towards photonic applications in the fields of two-dimensional materials research, light–matter interactions, and quantum technologies.