Mid-infrared quantum dots

Essentially my Ph.D. research.
Take a material that will form drops on the surface of another material, instead of making a whole wet film.
This happens just because of the chemistry and physics between atoms!
From figuring out the best way to form the initial surface, to trying different atoms and arrangements, we got three publications from this work (and a Ph.D.).
1. Better quality surface: Indium arsenide (InAs) on the (111) crystallographic surface.
https://pubs.aip.org/avs/jvb/article/37/6/061810/103323
2. Make droplets on top of that nice surface. The atoms were not the right ones to make light come out of the drops, though. Indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) self-assembled quantum dots on InAs(111).
https://pubs.aip.org/avs/jvb/article/39/6/062809/590702
3. Finally, drops that are able to emit light. And what light! Mid-infrared light!
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.2c08985