Photoluminescence of PbS quantum dots embedded in glasses

Optical properties and photoluminescence of PbS quantum dots (QDs) embedded in glasses were investigated. Formation and radius of PbS QDs were carefully controlled though heat-treatment and modification of host glass composition. Heat-treatment conditions for precipitation of 3–10 nm radius QDs for the tunable photoluminescence in the 1–2 μm wavelength range were identified. Glasses doped with PbS QDs provide potential as robust materials for broadband fiber-optic amplifiers.