Direct Imprinting of Quasi‐3D Nanophotonic Structures into Colloidal Quantum‐Dot Devices

Abstract

Three‐dimensional (3D) subwavelength nanostructures have emerged and triggered tremendous excitement because of their advantages over the two‐dimensional (2D) counterparts in fields of plasmonics, photonic crystals, and metamaterials. However, the fabrication and integration of 3D nanophotonic structures with colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) faces several technological obstacles, as conventional lithographic and etching techniques may affect the surface chemistry of colloidal nanomaterials. Here, the direct fabrication of functional quasi‐3D nanophotonic structures into CQD films is demonstrated by one‐step imprinting with well‐controlled precision in both vertical and lateral directions. To showcase the potential of this technique, diffraction gratings, bilayer wire‐grid polarizers, and resonant metal mesh long‐pass filters are imprinted on CQD films without degrading the optical and electrical properties of CQD. Furthermore, a dual‐diode CQD detector into an unprecedented mid‐wave infrared two‐channel polarization detector is functionalized by embedding an imprinted bilayer wire‐grid polarizer within the CQDs. The results show that this approach offers a feasible pathway to combine quasi‐3D nanostructures with colloidal materials‐based optoelectronics and access a new level of light manipulation.

Integration of Colloidal Quantum Dots with Photonic Structures for Optoelectronic and Optical Devices

“…Recently, Tang et al reported a HgTe QD-based dual-diode MIR photodetector with two-channel-polarization sensing ability. [81] The authors first de- [79] Copyright 2015, Springer Nature. c) The false color SEM image of the filterless narrow-band infrared detectors consisting of transfer-patterned HgSe QD film, interdigitated electrodes, and the patterned plasmonic disk arrays.…”

“…reported a HgTe QD‐based dual‐diode MIR photodetector with two‐channel‐polarization sensing ability. [ 81 ] The authors first developed a pressure‐mediated nanoimprint technique that was capable of placing a quasi‐3D metallic nanostructure (such as grating, polarizer, and metal mesh) at a given depth of the HgTe QD active layer to achieve absorption enhancement or polarization‐ or wavelength‐selection. Figure 7e shows one example device—a two‐channel polarization detector in which a bilayer wire‐grid polarizer was embedded in the QD layer.…”

Advances of Sensitive Infrared Detectors with HgTe Colloidal Quantum Dots

“…The key is to develop a fast and reliable parallel inkjet printing method. Besides 2D CQDs patterning techniques, Tang et al reported a direct imprinting technique for producing high resolution CQDs quasi-3D optical nanostructures without degrading the key properties of materials [71]. The direct imprinting technique process was shown in Figure 5c.…”

MXene‐Based Humidity‐Responsive Actuators: Preparation and Properties

“…It is worth noting that the development of actuators also brings great promise for the development of next-generation smart products such as wearable devices and electronic skins. [24,25] Moreover, the rapid development of stimuli-responsive materials, [26] new structural design, [27] micro-nano processing technologies (including photolithography, [28] laser process, [29] incusing [30] and layer-bylayer self-assembly [31] ) and new actuation technologies (including electrostatic [8] or piezoelectric actuation, [32] magnetic remote control, [33] optical tweezers [34] and pneumatic systems [35] ) pro-vides favorable conditions for the design and manufacture of actuators. [36] Among the numerous external stimuli, humidity has been paid more and more attention, and the research on humidityresponsive actuators is gaining popularity among researchers.…”