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The influence of Nd3+ ions was investigated on the precipitation and optical properties of PbS quantum dots ( QDs) inside silicate glasses. The diameters of the PbS QDs decreased as the concentration of Nd3+ in the glass increased as evidenced by blue shifts in the absorption and photoluminescence spectra. Electron energy loss spectroscopy shows that Nd3+ ions exist preferentially inside the PbS nanocrystals rather than in the glass matrix. We postulate that Nd-O clusters are preserved during heat treatment and serve as nucleation sites for PbS crystals. No change in the local bonding scheme of the Nd3+ ions was observed following heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PbS QDs of ~ 5nm diameter were precipitated in glasses containing Ag nanoparticles after 3 min of 1.5-W continuous-wave laser illumination at λ = 532 nm. Photoluminescence spectra of the PbS QDs recorded in the 1.3~1.6 μm wavelength region revealed conversion of photon energy to thermal energy by surface plasmon resonance. Laser-assisted local heating around Ag NPs can provide a new method to control the spatial distribution of QDs in glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]