investigating dynamics and charge transport in semiconductor quantum dots and their nanostructures

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Semiconductor nanostructures are interesting from a standpoint of fundamental science and compelling for their promise in a wide variety of applications. These materials are in a size regime between molecules and bulk solids. One can therefore tune the electronic and optical properties of these materials by physical confinement of the charge carriers. The objective of this proposal is to investigate the dynamics of charge carriers in colloidal quantum confined semiconductor nanostructures. The outcome will be an understanding of the factors that govern the properties of nanostructures, enabling rational implementation of nanomaterials into new devices.The influence of a nanostructural environment upon processes such as carrier relaxation, recombination, and transport will be investigated using state-of-the-art femtosecond laser spectroscopy. Our research will utilize colloidal semiconductor quantum dots as a template for new spectroscopy and new materials. In parallel, colloidal quantum dots will serve as a springboard for the development of new materials. The specific aim of our research is: 1) To develop and apply new spectroscopies in order to produce a detailed picture of dynamics in prototypical colloidal quantum dot materials. 2) To develop new quantum dot based materials and apply femtosecond methods to investigate charge transport on the nanoscale. 3) To investigate magnetic quantum dots for applications in spintronics.