2026-02-24 シカゴ大学（UChicago）
University of Chicago scientists created tiny structures that use quantum dots to emit infrared light much more efficiently than previous methods. Above, a row of the tiny “bow-tie” structures revealed by electron microscopy.Image courtesy Augustin Caillas
＜関連情報＞
- https://news.uchicago.edu/story/uchicago-scientists-find-better-way-make-infrared-light-using-quantum-dots
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-026-01859-6
パーセル強化中赤外線カスケード発光ダイオード Purcell-enhanced mid-infrared cascade light-emitting diodes
Augustin Caillas,Xingyu Shen & Philippe Guyot-Sionnest
Nature Photonics Published:24 February 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-026-01859-6
Abstract
Photon sources in the mid-infrared spectral range are of great interest for applications in gas sensing and environmental monitoring. Here we develop a new solution-processed electroluminescent source emitting at 5 μm. Our light-emitting diode is based on integrating the cascade intraband electroluminescence of HgSe/CdS colloidal quantum dots with resonant plasmonic bowtie antennas. The bowtie provides the electrodes and the cavity for Purcell enhancement, funnelling the electrical power to the nanogap where the emission efficiency is highly enhanced. Numerical simulations guide the design of the device’s architecture and predict the expected characteristics of the structure. Experimentally, the devices exhibit strong polarized intraband electroluminescence, with power conversion efficiency exceeding 5% and a 270-fold increase over reference structures without the bowtie nanogap. The emission rise and fall times is 20 ns, confirming its origin from electroluminescence. Our approach demonstrates the benefits of Purcell enhancement for mid-infrared light sources and holds promise for new infrared electro-optical devices.
