Quantum Dots: An Introduction

Abstract

The use of semiconductors has greatly increased in the last century. As new technologies start to re ly more and more on semi-conductors, their shortcomings are more and more apparent. Traditional semi-conductor devices have been found to be too big and too slow. As engineers search for a fa ster and more adaptable alternative to conventional semiconductors they have discovered quantum dots, a new form of semiconductors that model atoms. Being only nanometers in size, these pseudo-atoms take semi-conductors to a whole new level and can a llow devices to work almost at the speed of light. Furthermore, quantum dots have numerous applications in optical technologies, mediums, and industries. This paper reviews the b asics of quantum dot, its properties and some applications. Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) is a promising material for the next generation high speed optical communication devices.