Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-175).

It is very interesting to probe the rotational symmetry of semiconductor quantum dots for quantum information and quantum computation applications. We studied the effects of rotational symmetry in semiconductor quantum dots using configuration interaction calculation. Moreover, to compare with the experimental data, we studied the effects of hidden symmetry. The 2D single-band model and the 3D single-band model were used to generate the single-particle states. How the spectra affected by the breaking of hidden symmetry and rotational symmetry are discussed. The breaking of hidden symmetry splits the degeneracy of electron-hole single-triplet and triplet-singlet states, which can be clearly seen from the spectra. The breaking of rotational symmetry redistributes the weight percentage, due to the splitting of px and py states, and gives a small brightness to the dark transition, giving rise to asymmetry peaks. The asymmetry peaks of 4X, 5X, and 6X were analyzed numerically. In addition, Auger-like satellites of biexciton recombination were found in the calculation. There is an asymmetry peak of the biexciton Auger-like satellite for the 2D single-band model while no such asymmetry peak occurs for the 3D single-band model. Few-particle effects are needed in order to determine the energy separation of the biexciton main peak and the Auger-like satellite. From the experiments, it was confirmed that the lower emission energy peak of X2-spectrum is split. The competed splitting of the X2- spectra were revealed when temperature dependence was implemented. However, since the splitting is small, we suggest the X2- peaks are broadened in comparison with other configurations according to single-band models. Furthermore, the calculated excitonic emission patterns were compared with experiments. The 2D single-band model fails to give the correct energy order of the peaks for the few-particle spectra; on the other hand the peaks order from 3D single-band model consistent with experimental data.

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In this study, we develop self-assembled nano-metal-dots etching mask techniques to fabricate quantum dots (QDs) nano-pillars. We explain the self-assembled nano-metal-dots formation processes by using Dewetting model. Two important experimental factors including (1) interaction force between film and vapor during annealing (£^FV),¡]2¡^interaction force between film and substrate (£^FS) are study to investigate the self-assembled processes. A 200nm thick SiO2 buffer layer is first deposited on the GaAs substrate to congregate thermal energy during the RTA process. In our group, the QDs optimum grown temperature condition is 570¢J, so we develop Au-Ge nano-dots process especially for GaAs based QDs samples. The 8nm thick Au-Ge is annealed at lower 500oC for 60sec under the pressure of 5 E6 Torr to format the nano-dots on QDs samples. The Au-Ge nano-dots have a size and density of 250 ¡Ó 50 nm and 4 E8 cm-2,respectively. We use the Au-Ge nano-dots as mask and dry etching process to fabricate the 9-layer vertical coupled QDs nano-pillars. The diameter and height of the QDs nano-pillar are 250, and 800nm, respectively. According to the QDs density, each nano-pillar contains 1600 QDs in it. The QDs nano-pillar resonance signals are observed by the low temperature cryogenic cathode-luminescence measurement. A strong nano-pillar resonance signal in 1050 nm matched to our simulation results is observed.

Recent progress in the field of semiconductor nanocrystals or Quantum Dots (QDs) has seen them find wider acceptance as a tool in biomedical research labs. As produced, high quality QDs synthesized by high temperature organometallic synthesis, are coated with a hydrophobic ligand. Therefore, they must be further processed to be soluble in water and made biocompatible. A process to coat the QDs with silk fibroin, a fibrous protein derived from the Bombyx mori silk worm, is described. Following the coating process, the characterization of size, optical properties and biocompatibility profile of these particle systems is described. In addition, conjugation of the silk fibroin coated QDs to different labeling proteins such as phalloidin and streptavidin is described. Proteins on the surface of ovarian cancer cells (HeyA8) and of cytoskeletal components participating in the formation of focal adhesion complex (FAC), such as F-actin in endothelial cells (HUVECS) were labeled using the bio-conjugated QDs. Various imaging techniques such as epi-fluorescence, TIRF and AFM were used to study the QD labeled cells. Overall the project has produced luminescent nanoprobes that enable the study of FAC formation dynamics and potentially a better in vivo fluorescent marker tool.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leave 60). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisor: Joe C. Campbell. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisor: Russell D. Dupuis. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.