Millions of everyday devices rely on light, yet some of the most powerful tools for shaping it are almost unimaginably small. In collaboration with research teams from Sungkyunkwan University (located in South Korea), CSEM has helped create a new generation of quantum dots (QDs), tiny crystals only a few nanometers in size.
What is a quantum dot and why does it matter? A quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor particle whose color depends entirely on its size. Because engineers can adjust its size precisely, they can “tune” the light to emit highly specific wavelengths. This makes QDs ideal for applications where accurate color, bright light, or efficient light conversion matters, for example, in displays.
Until recently, many quantum dots had tiny flaws that weakened or destabilized their light; imagine a tiny gemstone with a flaw weakening its brilliance. The international team solved this by designing a “core‑shell” structure under closely controlled conditions. This results in stress-controlled crystals that glow cleanly and consistently, an improvement that defines a new generation of quantum dots. The results were published in Nature Communications.
With the right coatings, the quantum dots keep their brightness and color over time, even after handling and integration. That is what makes them reliable building blocks for future photonics and sensing products. With the right coatings, the quantum dots keep their brightness and color over time, even after handling and integration. That is what makes them reliable building blocks for future photonics and sensing products.
CSEM’s role was to take this scientific breakthrough and make it usable outside the laboratory. “Our job was to make sure these nanocrystals become robust materials that industry can actually use,” explains Xavier Bulliard, Principal Engineer, Micro and Nano Systems, CSEM. “With the right coatings, the quantum dots keep their brightness and color over time, even after handling and integration. That is what makes them reliable building blocks for future photonics and sensing products.”
In practical terms, this means that devices built with these high-quality quantum dots could deliver richer, more accurate colors in screens, more efficient solar energy capture, and highly sensitive sensors for environmental or medical applications. That could translate into energy savings, better diagnostics, and improved performance in everyday electronics.
Looking ahead, CSEM is well positioned to lead the integration of these advanced quantum dots into commercial photonics, solar, and sensing technologies, turning nanometer-scale breakthroughs into real‑world benefits for industry, communities, and daily life.
Discover on CSEM’s quantum technologies page how we combine hardware fabrication, miniaturization, and system engineering to deploy real-world quantum systems and applications. Or contact us through our form to explore collaboration opportunities.