Size-dependent composition of semiconductor nanoparticles in glass

Precipitation of semiconductor particles in glass produces composite materials that are optically useful and mechanically, thermally, and chemically robust. Applications include optical absorption long pass filters and nonlinear saturable absorbers. Control of particle composition is essential to control of optical properties. We demonstrate how Raman scattering, optical absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy can be combined to determine composition, size, and strain in ZnxCd1−xS semiconductor nanoparticles grown in glass. We develop a thermophysical model relating average particle size and Zn/Cd ratio in nanoparticle precipitates.