How Does Quantum Confinement Affect Electron Occupancy?
Quantum confinement occurs when the size of a nanomaterial is comparable to the de Broglie wavelength of the electrons. This confinement alters the allowed energy states, leading to discrete energy levels. As a result, electron occupancy in these levels changes, affecting the material's optical and electronic properties. For example, quantum dots exhibit size-dependent color emission due to changes in electron occupancy.
