CdS/CdSe/CdS spherical quantum wells as single-photon sources

TL;DR

This paper reports the synthesis of spherical quantum wells that act as stable single-photon sources, demonstrating antibunching, low blinking, and complex emission dynamics, with potential applications beyond lasers.

Contribution

First demonstration of spherical quantum wells functioning as single-photon sources with stable emission and detailed dynamic characterization.

Findings

Antibunching observed at high excitation intensities.

Low blinking with 89% median bright state duration.

Emission exhibits complex multi-component lifetime dynamics.

Abstract

We have synthesized CdS(1.3 nm)/CdSe(1.7 nm)/CdS(3.4 nm) spherical quantum wells with 13 nm diameter and demonstrated the first antibunching of their emission, labelling them as single-photon sources. Antibunching survives even at high excitation intensities, ruling-out bi-exciton emission. For the largest intensities, antibunching coupled to spectral measurements, reveal the signature of a blue-shifted emission, associated to an irreversible photo-aging effect. We demonstrate a moderate correlation between the main and the blue-shifted emission energy. Intensity-timetraces show low-blinking, with a median time spent in the bright state of 89 %. Emission lifetime measurements reveal a complex emission dynamic with either three or four components. While spherical quantum wells have been initially designed for laser-oriented applications, we demonstrate that they can serve as single-photon sources.