Intraband Luminescence from HgSe/CdS Core/Shell Quantum Dots

HgSe/CdS core/shell CQD are synthesized, and the changes in the optical absorption and luminescence are investigated. While HgSe quantum dots are naturally n-doped after synthesis, both as colloidal solutions and as films, the HgSe/CdS core/shell dots in solution lose the n-doping, as seen from the optical absorption in solution. However, n-doping is regained in films, and the intraband luminescence of the films of HgSe/CdS is greater than that of the cores. The shell also vastly improves the stability of the quantum dots films against sintering at 200 °C. After annealing at that temperature, the HgSe/CdS films retain a narrow intraband emission and sustain a higher laser power leading to brighter emission at 5 μm.