Self-assembly method of linearly aligning ZnO quantum dots for a nanophotonic signal transmission device

Abstract

We report a self-assembly method that aligns nanometer-sized quantum dots (QDs) into a straight line along which photonic signals can be transmitted by optically near-field effects. ZnO QDs were bound electrostatically to DNA to form a one-dimensional QD chain. The photoluminescence intensity under parallel polarization excitation along the QDs chain was much greater than under perpendicular polarization excitation, indicating an efficient signal transmission along the QD chain. As optical near-field energy can transmit through the resonant energy level, nanophotonic signal transmission devices have a number of potential applications, such as wavelength division multiplexing using QDs of different sizes.