Optical characterization of quantum dots entrained in microstructured optical fibers

We present a study of the basic optical properties of colloidal CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots entrained in a microstructured optical fiber. Quantum dots suspended in heptane were pulled into the holes surrounding the solid core of a microstructured optical fiber of the holey fiber class via capillary action and are found to remain in the fiber. In this experiment, a laser coupled into the fiber photoexcited quantum dots along the length of the fiber. Quantum dot emission was observed to couple into the fiber core and propagate along the fiber. To investigate the use of such a system in fiber-based light generation or amplification, a second laser overlapping the low-energy portion of the quantum dot emission was simultaneously coupled into the fiber. We observed apparent amplification of this light when photoexciting the quantum dots well above their bandedge.