Infrared narrow band emitting quantum dots for high energy physics, medicine and space applications

TL;DR

This paper reports the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of polymer-based infrared quantum dots doped with Er$^{3+}$, embedded in PDMS and spin-coated onto substrates, achieving emission near $1540~\mathrm{nm}$. Morphological and structural analyses via FESEM and XRD confirm well-crystallized rhombohedral QDs (~$11.8~\mathrm{nm}$) with minimal aggregation and no impurity phases, while optical measurements reveal narrow-band PL with FWHM $24.69~\mathrm{nm}$ and a PL lifetime of $\tau_{av} = 3.46~\mathrm{ms}$. The results support a practical polymer-embedded IR QD platform with tunable infrared emission and robust optical performance. The paper additionally surveys transformative applications across high-energy physics, medicine, and space, including dark-matter detectors, deep-tissue imaging, and compact IR spectrometers, outlining a path toward scalable, low-SWaP infrared nanomaterials for future technologies.

Abstract

Infrared quantum dots, operating in the near-infrared (NIR, 700-1400 nm), short-wavelength infrared (SWIR, 1400-3000 nm), mid-infrared (MIR, 3000-8000 nm) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR, 8000-15000 nm) regions, have promising potential in optoelectronics, nanotechnology and military surveillance applications. The properties of infrared quantum dots exhibit quantum confinement effects, unlike bulk semiconductors, where their bandgap energy and emission wavelength can be precisely tuned by controlling particle size, composition, and surface chemistry. The wide tunability and unique quantum confinement effects in these infrared-emitting materials also make them attractive for both fundamental research, health and space technology. This paper focuses on the synthesis, fabrication and characterisation of polymer-based infrared quantum dots and explores the possible applications of infrared quantum dots in high-energy physics, medicine and astrophysics.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: FESEM images of IR QDs
• Figure 2: XRD patterns of IR QDs calcined at 900 $^{\circ}$C for 3h
• Figure 3: Transmitance spectra of the supporting matrix PDMS sample compared to measurements taken from Zhang2020ZHANG2020107063, and the measured photoluminescence of the IR-QD.
• Figure 4: Lifetime of IR QDs
• Figure 5: Schematic of a five-layer IR quantum dot chromatic tracker. The track is extrapolated towards the chromatic layer from the multi-layer silicon tracker (the individual and extrapolated hit uncertainties are schematically indicated in black); the detected IR photon then allows uniquely assigning the corresponding disambiguated 200 nm channel to the track. Each layer consists of a substrate (light blue), on top of which a PMMA template (light green) defines the 200 nm wide troughs in which the nanodots are deposited. Prior to assembly, the PMMA is dissolved (not shown).