Highly efficient amplified stimulated emission from CdSe-CdS-ZnS quantum dot doped waveguides with two-photon infrared optical pumping

The process of two-photon optical pumping at 800 nm t, which allows for the generation of highly stable, amplified stimulated emission from a variety of CdSe-CdS-ZnS sized nanocyrstals was investigated. The process was found to be as efficient as conventional excitation mechanisms in the 1-photon excitation region. The CdSe cores were prepared by the method describe by Van Embden et al. The CdSe-CdS-ZnS quantum dots were prepared through adapted synthetic protocols of Li et al. A zinc rich surface was created to ensure the resulting nanoparticles,which possessed both high PL yield and photostability. The nanocrystal were rendered soluble in ethanol through 5-aminopentanol and tris-hydroxyphosphine surface exchange and further incorporated into Zirconia sol-gel matrix by using a protocol. The post synthesis of the nanocrystal surface chemistry was tailored to ensure homogenous nanocrystal, which incorporate into zirconia based waveguides.