Optical properties of quantum dots in photonic dots

A concept of quantum dots in photonic dots has been realized by incorporating highly luminescent CdSe nanocrystals (quantum dots) into various spherical microcavities, or 3-D photonic dots (micron-size glass, polymeric microspheres). Coupling of discrete electron states of quantum dots and photon states inside photonic dots strongly affects onto both stationary and dynamic photoluminescence properties of nanocrystals. A number of interesting optical effects is demonstrated on such structures: increase in radiative recombination rate in the vicinity of ultranarrow photon modes (Purcell effect); room temperature nearly thresholdless lasing; blinking of photon modes; single photon mode switching by single quantum dot emission.