Coupled Colloidal Quantum Dot Molecules

ConspectusElectronic coupling and hence hybridization of atoms serves as the basis for rich properties endless library naturally occurring molecules. Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) manifesting strong confinement possess atomic-like characteristics with s p electronic levels, which popularized notion CQDs artificial atoms. Continuing this analogy, when two are close enough to form a molecule so that their orbitals start overlapping, energies split into bonding antibonding states made out hybridized orbitals. The same concept is also applicable fused core–shell nanocrystals in proximity. Their band edge states, dictate emitted photon energy, hybridize, changing optical properties. Thus, an exciting direction “artificial molecules” emerges, leading multitude possibilities creating new hybrid nanostructures novel optoelectronic relevance toward diverse applications including technologies.The controlled separation barrier height between adjacent key variables dictating magnitude energy confined wave functions. In past, coupled double dot architectures prepared by molecular beam epitaxy revealed few millielectron volts, limits mostly cryogenic operation. realization molecules sufficient detectable at room temperature calls use colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal building blocks. Moreover, tunable surface chemistry widely opens predesigned attachment strategies well solution processing ability molecules, making ideal candidate purpose. Despite several approaches demonstrated enabling structures, general reproducible method broad range materials needed systematic tailoring strength based on dictated barrierThis Account addresses development create study emergent simplest molecule, homodimer formed from core/shell monomers, analogy homonuclear diatomic model system. shell material structurally fused, resulting continuous crystal. This lowers potential barrier, direct manifestation reflects transition shifting lower clearly resolved temperature. within single strongly correlated extent structural continuity, delocalization exciton function, thickness calculated numerically. impacts statistics faster radiative decay rate, bunching effect, modified Auger recombination pathway compared monomer Future perspectives paradigm highlighted.