QUANTUM DOTS
WHY IN NEWS ?
- Alexei I. Ekimov, Louis E. Brus, and Moungi G. Bawendi have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize for chemistry “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”.
WHAT ARE QUANTUM DOTS ?
- A quantum dot is a really small assembly of atoms (just a few thousand) around a few nanometres wide.
- The ‘quantum’ in its name comes from the fact that the electrons in these atoms have very little space to move around.
- So the crystal as a whole displays the quirky effects of quantum mechanics effects that otherwise would be hard to ‘see’ without more sophisticated instruments.
- Quantum dots have also been called ‘artificial atoms’ because the dot as a whole behaves like an atom in some circumstances.
SIGNIFICANCE OF QUANTUM DOTS:
- An array of quantum dots can be a TV screen by receiving electric signals and emitting light of different colours.
- Scientists can control the path of a chemical reaction by placing some quantum dots in the mix and making them release electrons by shining light on them.
- If one of the energy levels an electron jumps between in a quantum dot atom is the conduction band, the dot can operate like a semiconductor.
- Solar cells made with quantum dots are expected to have a thermodynamic efficiency as high as 66%.
- A quantum dot can also highlight a tumour that a surgeon needs to remove.
- Also beneficial as its hastens chemical reactions that extract hydrogen from water.
- Also used as a multiplexer in telecommunications.
SYLLABUS: PRELIMS, CURRENT AFFAIRS
