- Undergraduate
- Prospective Students
- Current Students
- Research Awards & Scholarships
- Undergraduate Research Presentation Award
- CSC Silver Medal Award
- E. J. Wells Chemistry Book Award
- Melanie O'Neill Chemistry Undergraduate Award
- SCI Canada Student Merit Award
- Tony Parsad Award in Chemistry
- Chemistry Undergraduate Scholarship
- TransCanada Pipelines Research Scholarship
- Evelyn and Leigh Palmer Scholarship
- Undergraduate Research
- Graduate
- Research
- Department
- News & Events
- Contact Us
- EDI
Dr. Brandi Cossairt
University of Washington
Discovering New Ways to Make and Modify Quantum Dots: Pushing the Frontiers of Precision Structure and Function
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
C9000 @ 3:30 p.m.
Host: Dr. Byron Gates
Abstract
We are interested in developing colloidal nanocrystals for applications in classical and quantum light technologies. Our approach leverages the extraordinary properties of nanoscale systems and applies foundational design principles from molecular inorganic chemistry. In this talk, we will examine strategies to overcome challenges in atomically precise synthesis and single particle placement by exploiting the extremes of nanocrystal size. First, the formation of kinetically persistent cluster molecules as intermediates in the nucleation of colloidal nanocrystals makes these materials of great interest for determining and controlling mechanisms of crystal growth. These clusters are also high-fidelity models for understanding the structure, bonding, and reactivity of larger nanocrystals, which are characterized by ensemble heterogeneity. The interconnection between structurally distinct members of these families, as well as their interconversion and conversion to larger nanocrystals, will be discussed. Next, producing scalable quantum photonics platforms using colloidal QDs as single-photon emitters is an outstanding challenge in quantum information science. We will explore two methods to exploit QD size to facilitate the deterministic positioning of single QDs into large arrays while maintaining their photostability and single-photon emission properties. Specifically, SiO2 and CdS shelling result in an increase in the QD physical size to allow precise positioning into ordered arrays using high-fidelity template-assisted self-assembly and electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing. We show that single “colossal” QDs before and after assembly exhibit antibunching behavior at room temperature and can be deterministically positioned on photonic cavities.