Luminescence in colloidal Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals

Recent advances in nanocrystal doping chemistries have substantially broadened the variety of photophysical properties that can be observed in colloidal Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals. A brief overview is Provided, focusing on Mn2+-doped II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals prepared by direct chemical synthesis and capped with coordinating surface ligands. These Mn2+-doped semiconductor nanocrystals are organized into three major groups according to the location of various Mn2+-related excited states relative to the energy gap of the host semiconductor nanocrystals. The positioning of these excited states gives rise to three distinct relaxation scenarios following photoexcitation. A brief Outlook on future research directions is provided. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.