Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 February 2011
This document presents experimental and theoretical results of an effort to develop semiconductor nanocrystal doped thin films for optical switching applications. Films doped with high quality PbS and PbSe nanocrystals have been fabricated. Measurements of the absorption spectra are compared with theoretical predictions. A general theoretical framework for treating the optical properties of multi-layer dielectric structures containing thin nanocrystal doped layers is used. A simple model (the particle-in-a-sphere) is used as a starting point, however, more sophisticated models (such as those based on k.p theory, or fits to experiment) can easily be incorporated. A prototypical micron-scale Fabry-Perot optical cavity has been constructed and is discussed. Theoretical predictions for the switching behavior of such a structure, upon introduction of the semiconductor nanocrystal material into the optical cavity, are presented. A full-length version of this paper is available at Evident Technologies' web site.