Asian Journal of Chemistry Vol. 21, No. 10 (2009), S033-038 Synthesis, Properties and Potential Applications of Semiconductor Quantum Particles A.B. SHARMA*, M. SHARMA and R.K. PANDEY # a Nabira Mahavidyalaya, Katol- 441302 (MH) # University Institute of Technology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, (M.P.)-462026 . *Email: absktl@yahoo.com Studies of quantum dots (Q dots) or nanometer sized compound semiconductors with diameters in the range of 1-20 nm have generated a great deal of interest due to fundamental and technological applications. A number of devices have already been fabricated employing quantum dots. This paper presents the recent advances in the synthesis of compound semiconductor quantum dots and their potential use in electronic devices. Our work on self- organization of Q-dots using a wet chemical route has also been presented. Optical properties of these Q-dots using absorption spectroscopy technique have been discussed in the light of the existing theoretical models. Key Words: Quantum dots, luminescence INTRODUCTION Semiconductor quantum dots have aroused great scientific and technological attention due to their possible application as luminescent devices 1 , quantum dot lasers 2 , biological labels 3 , photo detectors 4 , light emitting diodes 1 , chemical sensors 5 etc. Semiconductor quantum dots refer to those semiconducting materials whose dimension lie in the nanometer range. Their electronic state lies between the molecular and bulk materials. The transition from bulk to molecular like behavior in these materials occurs when their dimension is decreased below the corresponding Bohr exciton radius. Nanocrystalline materials posses distinct behavior from bulk because of two reasons: (1) Large surface to volume ratio associated with smaller size which results in change in chemical and physical properties. (2) Confinement of electrons within a small dimension leads to changes in electronic and physical properties of the material. Several theoretical models have been proposed to account for the electronic structure and optical properties of the quantum dots. The effective mass approximation is based on the assumption of parabolic relation between the electron energy E and the wave vector k. Brus 6,7 using effective mass approximation (EMA) and taking into account Coulombic ____________________ a Nabira Mahavidyalaya, Katol- 441302 (MH) b University Institute of Technology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, (M.P.)-4620260