In this thesis, novel regimes of mode locking in quantum dot semiconductor laser diodes have been investigated by exploiting the unique features offered by quantum dots. Using an unconventional approach, the role of excited state transitions in the quantum dots was exploited as an additional degree of freedom for the mode locking of experimental quantum dot lasers. For the first time, passive mode locking via ground (1260nm) or excited state (1190nm) was demonstrated in a quantum dot laser. Picosecond pulses were generated at a repetition rate of 21GHz and 20.5GHz, for the ground and excited states respectively, with average powers in excess of 25mW. Switching between these two states in the mode-locking regime was achieved by changing the electrical biasing conditions, thus providing full control of the operating spectral band. A novel regime for mode locking in a quantum-dot laser was also investigated, where the simultaneous presence of cw emission in the excited-state band at high injection current levels, dramatically reduced the duration of the pulses generated via the ground state, whilst simultaneously boosting its peak power. This represents a radically different trend from the one typically observed in mode-locked lasers. From this investigation, it was concluded that the role of the excited state can not be neglected in the generation of ultrashort pulses from quantum-dot lasers. Stable passive mode locking of a quantum-dot laser over an extended temperature range (from 20ºC to 80ºC) was also demonstrated at relatively high output average powers. It was observed that the pulse duration and the spectral width decreased significantly as the temperature was increased up to 70ºC. The process of carrier escape in the absorber was identified as the main contributing factor that led to a decrease in the absorber recovery time as a function of increasing temperature which facilitated a decrease in the pulse durations. These results are shown to open the way for the ultimate deployment of ultra stable and uncooled mode-locked semiconductor diode lasers.

In this thesis we investigate a system of three tunnel-coupled quantum dots, arranged in a triangular geometry and attached to a single metallic conduction band, using both analytic and semi-analytic methods and the numerical renormalisation group technique. This is the simplest coupled quantum dot system to exhibit frustration. We study three different models of the triple quantum dot device: a mirror symmetric arrangement of dots in which only one dot is connected to the conduction band, a triple quantum dot system in which only one dot is connected to the conduction band without a plane of mirror symmetry and a mirror symmetric arrangement of quantum dots in which all three dots are coupled to the conduction band. We study these models over a wide range of parameter space, and in both the presence and absence of a magnetic field. Both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic Kondo effects are observed, and in all three models we find that the system contains at least two phases, and so a number of quantum phase transitions may be observed, associated in some cases with significant changes in the low temperature conductance through the triple quantum dot device. In addition to zero-field Kondo physics, a number of field induced Kondo effects are also observed. Both first order quantum phase transitions and Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transitions are observed. We use both symmetry arguments and low energy effective models which we derive to explain and understand both the position of and type of phase boundary that is observed in each case, and perturbative methods are used to accurately predict Kondo temperatures for a wide range of systems.

La pollution actuelle des effluents hospitaliers par des médicaments, nécessite le développement de nouvelles techniques de traitement, la photocatalyse étant l’une des plus efficaces pour remédier à ce type de pollution. Cependant, les oxydes métalliques utilisés pour la photocatalyse (TiO2, ZnO, …) ne sont activables que sous irradiation UV. L’association de ces oxydes à des Quantum Dots (QDs), crée une hétérojonction qui étend la zone d’activation du photocatalyseur vers les rayonnements visibles et diminue les recombinaisons des porteurs de charges. La première partie de ce travail décrit le développement d’un photocatalyseur activable sous irradiation solaire pour la dégradation du colorant Orange II. Nous avons d’abord caractérisé l’hétérojonction créée entre ZnO et les QDs CuInS2/ZnS (ZCIS) puis étudié leur efficacité photocatalytique, en regardant notamment leurs capacités à générer des espèces réactives de l’oxygène. Dans la seconde partie, nous avons évalué la photodégradation d’un agent anticancéreux, l’Ifosfamide, présent dans les effluents hospitaliers. Pour cela, des réacteurs fermés agités et des microréacteurs ont été utilisés. Dans les deux cas, l’Ifosfamide, ainsi que ses intermédiaires de dégradation, sont photodégradés efficacement par le catalyseur ZnO/ZCIS sous une irradiation solaire de faible intensité (5 mW/cm2). Dans le cas des microréacteurs, le dépôt du catalyseur dans le microcanal a été optimisé et sa stabilité évaluée. Les résultats montrent que le catalyseur ZnO/ZCIS est réutilisable cinq fois sans perte d’activité, témoignant d’une bonne recyclabilité, ce qui en fait un bon candidat pour des applications photocatalytiques / The pollution of hospital effluents by pharmaceutical drugs, requires the development of new treatment techniques. Among these processes, photocatalysis is one of the most efficient one and allows the remediation of this kind of pollution. However, metal oxides used for photocatalysis (TiO2, ZnO, …) can only be activated by UV light. The association of these oxides with quantum dots (QDs) creates an heterojunction, which not only allows to extend the activation spectrum of the photocatalyst to the visible region but also decreases the charge carriers recombinations. The first part of this work describes the development of a catalyst responding to solar light irradiation for the degradation of the Orange II dye. First, we characterized the heterojunction created between ZnO and the CuInS2/ZnS (ZCIS) QDs and evaluated their photocatalytic efficiency. This work was undertaken by evaluating the capacity of the ZnO/ZCIS catalyst to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the second part, we studied the photodegradation of the antineoplastic agent Ifosfamide commonly found in hospital effluents. For this purpose, closed and agitated reactors but also microreactors were used. In both cases, Ifosfamide, and the compounds originating from its degradation, can be fully photodegraded under simulated light of weak intensity (5 mW/cm2) using the ZnO/ZCIS catalyst. In the case of microreactors, the deposition of the catalyst was optimized and its stability evaluated. Results obtained demonstrate that the ZnO/ZCIS catalyst can be reused, at least five times, without significant loss in activity, thus demonstrating its ability to be used in real photocatalytic applications

Durant cette thèse nous avons, dans un premier temps, mis au point un protocole robuste pour quantifier l’échange de ligands à la surface de nano-objets, en prenant les quantum dots comme particules d’étude. Cette méthode se base sur la sensibilité de détection d’un élément radioactif, le tritium. Pour étudier l’échange de ligands, nous avons synthétisé de l’acide oléique tritié, dont l’équivalent non-marqué est un composé très couramment utilisé dans la chimie des QD. Nous avons élaboré un protocole permettant de déterminer la densité de ligands à la surface de quantum dots de type CdSe zinc blende par une méthode innovante. Par ailleurs, nous avons réalisé une étude permettant de déterminer la capacité qu’a un ligand à remplacer l’acide oléique présent à la surface des QD. On a ainsi obtenu une échelle des forces relatives de liaison de diverses fonctions chimiques suivant leur aptitude à déplacer l’acide oléique. Cette étude devrait permettre d’améliorer la compréhension et la mise au point des protocoles utilisés pour la préparation des QD. Dans un second temps, nous avons développé deux stratégies d’encapsulation de QD afin de les solubiliser dans l’eau avec comme objectif des applications en imagerie in vivo. Ces deux approches tentent de répondre aux nombreuses exigences liées à l’utilisation de QD en milieux biologiques. Dans cette optique, nous avons synthétisé des amphiphiles polymérisés d’une part et des amphiphiles perfluorés d’autre part. Des lots de QD, de type CdSe/CdS/ZnS émettant dans le visible, solubilisés selon ces deux stratégies ont été préparés et leur stabilité éprouvée dans plusieurs conditions. Nous avons ensuite appliqué l’encapsulation à des QD de type CuInS2/ZnS émettant dans le proche infrarouge. Des études préliminaire sont pu être réalisées par d’imagerie de fluorescence chez la souris afin d’évaluer in vivo ces nouvelles formulations de QD. / In this thesis we have, at first, developed a robust protocol to quantify the exchange of ligands on the surface of nano-objects, using quantum dots in this study. This method is based on the detection sensitivity of a radioactive element, tritium. To study the exchange of ligands, we synthesized tritiated oleic acid, whose unmarked equivalent is commonly used for the synthesis of QD. Thanks to an innovative method, we have developed a protocol to determine the density of ligands on the surface of zinc blende CdSe quantum dots. In addition, we conducted a study to determine the ability of a ligand to replace oleic acid on the surface of the QD. A scale of relative bond strengths of various chemical functions according to their ability to displace oleic acid has been obtained. This study is expected to improve the understanding and the development of protocols for the preparation of QD.In a second step, we developed two encapsulation strategies of QD in order to obtain colloidal stability in water with in vivo imaging applications as final aim. Both approaches attempt to answer the requirements for the use of QD in biological media. In this context, we have synthesized photopolymerisable amphiphilic compounds on the one hand and perfluorinated amphiphilic compounds on the other. Batches of CdSe/CdS/ZnS QD emitting in the visible, solubilized by these two strategies have been prepared and their stability tested in several conditions. We then applied the encapsulation strategy developed to CuInS2/ZnS QD emitting in the near infrared. Some preliminary studies have been carried out by in vivo fluorescence imaging in mice to assess these new QD formulations.

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Controlled patterning of light emitting diodes on semiconductors enables a vast variety of applications such as structured illumination, large-area flexible displays, integrated optoelectronic systems and micro-total analysis systems for real time biomedical screening. We have demonstrated a series of techniques of creating quantum-based (QD) patterned inorganic light emitting devices at room temperature on silicon (Si) substrate. In particular: (I) A combination of QDs self-assembly and microcontact printing techniques were developed to form the light emission monolayer. We expand the self-assembly method with the traditional Langmuir-Schaeffer technique to rapidly deposit monolayers of core: shell quantum dots on flat substrates. A uniform film of QDs self-assembled on water was transferred using hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane stamps with various nano/micro-scale patterns, and was subsequently stamped. A metal oxide electron transport layer was co-sputtered onto the QDs. The structure was completed by an e-beam evaporating thin metal cathode. Multicolor light emission was observed on application of voltage across the device. (II) We also demonstrate the photolithographic patterning capability of a metal cathode for top emitting QDLEDs on Si substrates. Lithographic patterning technique enables site-controlled patterning and controlled feature size of the electrode with greater accuracy. The stability of inorganic silicon materials and metal oxide based diode structure offers excellent advantages to the device, with no significant damage observed during the patterning and etching steps. Efficient electrical excitation of QDs was demonstrated by both the methods described above. The technique was translated to create localized QD-based light sources for two applications: (1) Three-dimensional scanning probe tip structures for near field imaging. Combined topographic and optical images were acquired using this new class of “self-illuminating” probe in commercial NSOM. The emission wavelength can be tuned through quantum-size effect of QDs. (2) Multispectral excitation sources integrated with microfluidic channels for tumor cell analyses. We were able to detect the variation of sub-cellular features, such as the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, to quantify the absorption at different wavelength upon the near-field illumination of individual tumor cells towards the determination of cancer developmental stage. / text

This thesis consists of two parts. In the first part, the properties of excess electrons in water clusters are studied via a hybrid quantum and classical mechanics method. The existence of the solvated electron in water was experimentally demonstrated long ago, and it is among the most interesting charged species. However, a satisfactory characterization of the water clusters has always been a challenge. In our simulation, we treat a region of the cluster nearest to the centroid of the excess electron distribution quantum mechanically, while the rest of the water molecules are treated classically. The binding energies of a localized excess electron are calculated in clusters with sizes ranging from 16 to 300. The density distributions of the excess electrons verify the existence of both surface localization mode and interior localization model. We studied the energetically favored localization modes depending on the sizes of the clusters and the transition point. In the second part, the energy spectra, spin configurations, and entanglement characteristics of a system of four electrons in lateral double quantum dots are investigated using exact diagonalization (EXD), as a function of interdot separation, applied magnetic field, and strength of interelectron repulsion. As a function of the magnetic field, the energy spectra exhibit a low-energy band consisting of a group of six states, with the number six being a consequence of the conservation of the total spin of the four electrons and the ensuing spin degeneracies. These six states appear to cross at a single value of the magnetic field, with the crossing point becoming sharper for larger interdot distances. As the strength of the Coulomb repulsion increases, the six states tend to become degenerate and a well defined energy gap separates them from the higher-in-energy excited states. The appearance of the low-energy band is a consequence of the formation of a Wigner supermolecule. Using the spin-resolved pair-correlation functions, one can map the EXD many-body wave functions onto the spin functions associated with the four localized electrons. The ability to determine associated spin functions enables investigations concerning entanglement properties of the system of four electrons.

Pour que l'énergie photovoltaïque devienne compétitive, les coûts de production doivent être baissés et l'efficacité des cellules augmentée. Les cellules solaires à base de nanocristaux semi-conducteurs constituent une approche prometteuse pour remplir ces objectifs combinant une mise en œuvre par voie liquide avec la possibilité d'ajuster précisément la largeur de bande interdite et les niveaux électroniques. Aujourd'hui, les rendements de conversion des cellules constituées de nanocristaux de sulfure de plomb approchent les 7%. Seulement, à cause des normes européennes destinées à l'affranchissement du plomb du fait de ses risques pour la santé et l'environnement, de nouveaux matériaux doivent être trouvés. Cette thèse concerne la synthèse de nouveaux types de nanocristaux semi-conducteurs et leur application dans des cellules solaires. La synthèse des nanocristaux de CuInSe2 et de SnS de taille et de forme contrôlées a été effectuée, notamment par des voies de synthèses reproductibles dont le passage à grande échelle est facilement possible. Une analyse approfondie de la structure des nanocristaux de SnS par spectroscopie Mössbauer a montré que ces nanocristaux avaient une forte tendance à s'oxyder, ce qui limite leur utilisation dans des dispositifs électroniques après exposition à l'air. La constitution de couches minces continues ayant de bonnes propriétés électriques a été effectuée par le dépôt contrôlé de nanocristaux ainsi que l'échange de leurs ligands de surface. En particulier, un nouveau type de ligand inorganique a été utilisé qui a montré une augmentation de la conductivité des films multiplié par quatre ordres de grandeurs par rapport aux ligands initiaux. Enfin, la préparation de cellules solaires basées sur ces couches minces de nanocristaux a montré des résultats encourageants et notamment un clair effet photovoltaïque lorsque le dépôt est effectué sous atmosphère inerte. / In order to be cost-effective, photovoltaic energy conversion needs to improve the solar cell efficiencies while decreasing the production costs. Nanocrystal based solar cells could fulfil these requirements through solution-processing, band gap and energy level engineering. PbS nanocrystal thin films already proved their potential for use as solar cell active materials with power conversion efficiencies approaching 7%. However, since lead based compounds are not compatible with European regulations and present high risks for health and environment, semiconductor nanocrystals of alternative materials have to be developed. This thesis focuses on novel types of semiconductor nanocrystals and their application in photovoltaics. The first part of the study deals with the synthesis of size- and shape-controlled CuInSe2 and SnS nanocrystals. An in-depth investigation of the structure of SnS nanocrystals using Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed their high oxidation sensitivity, which limits their usability in optoelectronic devices after air exposure. The second part deals with the thin film preparation and the surface ligand exchange of the obtained nanocrystals. Using a fully inorganic nanocrystal-surface ligand system, the deposited films exhibited a current density improved by four orders of magnitude as compared to the initial ligands. Finally, solar cell devices based on nanocrystal thin films were fabricated, which showed encouraging results with a clear photovoltaic effect when processed under inert atmosphere.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-08-31T13:00:29Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese Doutorado Johan CD.pdf: 3689018 bytes, checksum: 956c4e0d76742d36ffe10e5bd9f4fa90 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T13:00:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese Doutorado Johan CD.pdf: 3689018 bytes, checksum: 956c4e0d76742d36ffe10e5bd9f4fa90 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / CNPq / No presente trabalho foi investigado o desempenho de nanotubos de TiO2 sensibilizados com quantum dots de CdS na geração de hidrogênio por meio da reação de dissociação da água por meio da fotocatálise e fotoeletrocatálise. Os nanotubos de TiO2 foram obtidos pelo método de anodização (30 V, 1 hora) de chapas de Ti, em etilenoglicol e água contendo íons fluoreto. As amostras anodizadas foram submetidas a tratamento térmico 400°C durante 3 horas. Posteriormente as amostras foram sensibilizadas com quantum dots de CdS via síntese hidrotérmica in situ usando o ácido 3-mercaptopropiônico como agente estabilizante. A eficiência fotocatalítica dos materiais na produção de hidrogênio foi investigada por meio da reação de dissociação da água utilizando como fonte de irradiação um simulador solar. A quantificação do hidrogênio gerado foi determinada por meio de cromatógrafia gasosa. Por outro lado, para estimar a eficiência de geração de hidrogênio via fotoeletrocatálise, as amostras foram avaliadas como fotoânodos e medidas da fotocorrente gerada pela irradiação em uma célula fotoeletroquímica (PEC) de três eletrodos foram realizadas. A sensibilização dos nanotubos de TiO2 com os quantum dots de CdS a partir da síntese hidrotérmica in situ, permitiu uma boa impregnação e distribuição uniforme dos quantum dots ao redor da superfície dos nanotubos, de acordo com as análises de EDS e XPS. O perfil de profundidade de XPS mostrou que a concentração de CdS permaneceu praticamente inalterada (homogênea) ao longo da matriz nanotubular. A presença de ânions sulfato evidenciou a oxidação do material preferentemente na superfície. Os nanotubos conferem uma proteção ao CdS frente à oxidação e protegem também os quantum dots quanto à fotocorrosão na solução de sacrifício S2-/SO32- utilizada. Este comportamento define uma boa estabilidade na fotocorrente gerada como mostrado em experimentos de longa duração (20 horas) sob irradiação. Os resultados experimentais mostraram três comportamentos diferentes para a geração de H2 quando o tempo de síntese dos QDs de CdS aumenta. Foram observados, efeitos similares, antagônicos e sinérgicos frente à atividade fotocatalítica em relação aos nanotubos de TiO2. O efeito antagônico parece estar relacionado com a presença de duas populações de tamanhos de QDs de CdS, onde a população com um band gap menor atua como uma armadilha para os elétrons fotogerados pela população com um band gap maior, diminuindo a atividade fotocatalítica do TiO2 na região ultravioleta. A transferência de elétrons a partir dos QDs de CdS para o TiO2 foi comprovada pelos resultados de UPS combinados com as medidas do band gap óptico. A maior absorção no visível após a sensibilização com o CdS combinada com a transferência de elétrons possibilita um incremento na taxa de geração de hidrogênio por meio da fotocatálise a partir de luz visível de quase zero para os nanotubos de TiO2 até cerca de 0,3 μmol cm-2 h-1 após sensibilização com os QDs de CdS. No caso da fotoeletrocatálise em uma PEC, a taxa de geração de H2 a partir de luz visível estimada pela fotocorrente gerada após a sensibilização (1,79 μmol cm-2 h-1) chega a ser até 12 vezes maior que para os nanotubos de TiO2 sem sensibilizar (0,15 μmol cm-2 h-1). / In the present work, we investigated the performance of TiO2 nanotubes sensitized with CdS quantum dots on the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic H2 production reaction. TiO2 nanotubes were obtained by anodization of Ti foil, followed by annealing to crystallize the nanotubes into anatase phase. Afterwards, the samples were sensitized with CdS quantum dots via an in situ hydrothermal route using 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the capping agent. This sensitization technique permits high loading and uniform distribution of CdS quantum dots onto TiO2 nanotubes. The XPS depth profile showed that CdS concentration remains almost unchanged (homogenous), while the concentration relative to the sulfate anion decreases by more than 80 % with respect to the initial value after ~200 nm in depth. The presence of sulfate anions is due to the oxidation of sulfide and occurs in greater proportion in the material surface. This protection for air oxidation inside the nanotubular matrix also protected the CdS from photocorrosion in sacrificial solution leading to good stability properties proved by a long duration photocurrent measurements. The effect of the sizes of CdS quantum dots attached to TiO2 nanotubes on the hydrogen production via photocatalysis was investigated. The experimental results showed three different behaviors when the CdS size is increased in the sensitized samples, e.g., similar, deactivation and activation effects on the hydrogen production with regard to TiO2 nanotubes. The deactivation effect was related with two populations of sizes of CdS, where the population with a shorter band gap acts as a trap for the electrons photogenerated by the population with a larger band gap. Electron transfer from CdS quantum dots to TiO2 semiconductor nanotubes was proven by the results of UPS combined with optical band gap measurements. This property facilitates an improvement of the visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate from zero, for TiO2 nanotubes, to approximately 0.3 μmolcm-2h-1 for TiO2 nanotubes sensitized with CdS quantum dots. The hydrogen generation rate estimated from photocurrents measurements via photoelectrocatalysis in PEC systems was also investigated. The hydrogen generation rate after sensitization was improved from 0,15 μmol cm-2 h-1 to 1,79 μmol cm-2 h-1, near to 12 times better performance under visible-light irradiation.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-02-13T14:42:08Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) dissertação para imprimir.pdf: 1944013 bytes, checksum: 446b8ae7597e9bfcfe53826edaa4a028 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-13T14:42:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) dissertação para imprimir.pdf: 1944013 bytes, checksum: 446b8ae7597e9bfcfe53826edaa4a028 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-20 / FACEPE / Neste trabalho foram sintetizados quantum dots de CdTe e CdTe:Gd3+ tendo o ácido mercapto succínico como estabilizante, visando uma potencial aplicação como agente de contraste bimodal para imagem ótica e magnética. A difração de raios-X evidenciou a formação dos QDs. Após quantificação dos íons dopantes por Espectrometria de Emissão Ótica com Plasma Indutivo Acoplado (ICP-OES), verificou-se 75,7% dos íons Gd3+ adicionados ficaram na nanopartícula. A grande quantidade de íons aderidos à nanopartícula, além da observação do aumento da relaxividade com a diminuição do pH e o deslocamento do estiramento das carbonilas por espectroscopia de infravermelho, são fatores que indicam que os íons Gd3+ aderiram aos QDs pela coordenação com o estabilizante e não por dopagem. A presença do íon gadolínio não alterou o deslocamento do máximo de absorção dos QDs e possivelmente interferiu na cinética de estabilização das superfícies, pois houve a diminuição da intensidade da luminescência dos mesmos. / In this work were synthesized quantum dots of CdTe and CdTe:Gd3+ having mercapto succinic acid (MSA) as a stabilizer, looking forward their use as a bimodal contrast agent for optical and magnetic images. The X-ray diffraction showed the formation of QDs. The quantification of dopants by Optical Emission Spectrometry with Inductive Coupled (ICPOES) Plasma, showed that 75.7% of Gd3+ ions were added in the nanoparticle. The large amount of ions bonded to the nanoparticle and the observation of increased relaxivity with decreasing pH and the observed shift of the stretching of carbonyls by infrared spectroscopy, are factors that indicated that Gd3+ ions were adhered to the QDs by coordinating with the stabilizer and not by doping. The presence of gadolinium ions did not change the absorption maximum band of the QDs, but probably changed the stabilization kinetics at the QD surface, due to the observed luminescence intensity decreasing.