How Does Quantum Confinement Affect Nanoscale Materials?
Quantum confinement occurs when the dimensions of a material are reduced to a size comparable to the de Broglie wavelength of electrons. This confinement alters the electronic and optical properties of the material. In quantum dots, for example, the energy levels become discrete rather than continuous, leading to unique optical properties that can be tuned by changing the size of the dots. This is crucial for designing materials with specific optical characteristics for use in LEDs and solar cells.
