Ultra-small Ge1−xSnx quantum dots with visible photoluminescence†
Abstract
Ge1−xSnx alloy quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with sizes ranging from 1–3 nm exhibiting visible orange-red photoluminescence. Composition dependent optical properties were characterized and supported by theoretical calculations. Structural analysis suggests the QDs are diamond cubic phase, characteristic of Ge1−xSnx thin films and nanocrystals (NCs) reported to date.