This paper reports the effect of Er2O3 concentration on nucleation and optical properties of PbS quantum dots (QDs) formed in a silicate glass under heat treatment at 490° or 500°C. As Er2O3 concentration increased from 0.1 to 0.4 mol%, average radii of PbS QDs decreased from ∼5 to ∼4 nm, and peak wavelengths of absorption and photoluminescence also decreased. Clusters of Er3+ ions connected by bridging oxygens may act as the nucleation centers for PbS QDs.
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