Solid state lighting devices that utilize semiconducting nanoparticles (quantum dots) as the sole source of visible light emission have recently been fabricated. The quantum dots in these devices have been demonstrated to have quantum efficiencies similar to those of conventional phosphors. The dispersion and concentration of the nanoparticles within a suitable polymeric matrix was found to be critical to device performance. Yet achieving suitable concentrations and adequate dispersion implies chemical compatibility between the nanoparticles and the matrix, which must be achieved without detrimental effect on either the physical/optical properties of the matrix or the stability/surface state of the quantum dots. A number of encapsulation strategies have been identified and are discussed with regard to their effect on nanoparticle dispersion and concentration within silicone and epoxy matrices.

Date Published: 2 April 2004
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 5276, Device and Process Technologies for MEMS, Microelectronics, and Photonics III, (2 April 2004); doi: 10.1117/12.522924

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5276:
Device and Process Technologies for MEMS, Microelectronics, and Photonics III
Jung-Chih Chiao; Alex J. Hariz; David N. Jamieson; Giacinta Parish; Vijay K. Varadan, Editor(s)