Exploring the Photophysics of Magnetically Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Abstract

The inclusion of dopant ions in semiconductor materials provides a useful pathway to add optical, electronic, and magnetic functionality which in turn enable the creation of numerous real-world technologies. Magnetic dopants are of particular interest due to their potential impact in future spintronics and quantum computing applications. Recent advancement in the synthesis of magnetically doped colloidal nanocrystals (NC) have allowed researchers to begin studying the intersection of semiconductors and magnetism in the quantum confined limit where magnetic exchange interactions are dramatically enhanced. The most interesting phenomena resulting from these magnetic exchange interactions is photo-generated magnetic ordering, known as an excitonic magnetic polaron (EMP), observed in Mn2+ doped II-VI materials. This thesis focuses on the recent spectroscopic observation and analysis of (EMPs) at the single NC level. The unprecedent insight gained at the single particle level allows us to experimentally confirm a longstanding EMP hypothesis that crystal anisotropy is a significant factor in by the total EMP stabilization and its orientation. Overall, this work highlights the importance of understanding anisotropic distortions to magneto-optic properties and will help to identify synthetic pathways to take advantage of the relationship between NC anisotropy and magnetic behavior.