Colloidal semiconductor quantum shells for solution-processed laser applications.

Laser diodes based on solution-processed semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) present an economical and color-tunable alternative to traditional epitaxial lasers. However, their efficiency is significantly limited by non-radiative Auger recombination, a process that increases lasing thresholds and diminishes device longevity through excessive heat generation. Recent advancements indicate that these limitations can be mitigated by employing spherical quantum wells, or quantum shells (QSs), in place of conventional QDs.

Two-Dimensional Electron-Hole Plasma in Colloidal Quantum Shells Enables Integrated Lasing Continuously Tunable in the Red Spectrum.

Combining integrated optical platforms with solution-processable materials offers a clear path toward miniaturized and robust light sources, including lasers. A limiting aspect for red-emitting materials remains the drop in efficiency at high excitation density due to non-radiative quenching pathways, such as Auger recombination. Next to this, lasers based on such materials remain ill characterized, leaving questions about their ultimate performance.