Unraveling Exciton Trap Dynamics and Nonradiative Loss Pathways in Quantum Dots via Atomistic Simulations

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Hou, Bokang, Gatto, Salvatore, Rudge, Samuel L., Runeson, Johan E., Thoss, Michael, Rabani, Eran
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Hou, Bokang
Gatto, Salvatore
Rudge, Samuel L.
Runeson, Johan E.
Thoss, Michael
Rabani, Eran
author_facet Hou, Bokang
Gatto, Salvatore
Rudge, Samuel L.
Runeson, Johan E.
Thoss, Michael
Rabani, Eran
contents Surface defects in colloidal quantum dots are a major source of nonradiative losses, yet the microscopic mechanisms underlying exciton trapping and recombination remain elusive. Here, we develop a model Hamiltonian based on atomistic electronic calculations to investigate exciton dynamics in CdSe/CdS core/shell QDs containing a single hole trap introduced by an unpassivated sulfur atom. By systematically varying the defect depth and reorganization energy, we uncover how defect-induced excitonic states mediate energy relaxation pathways. Our simulations reveal that a single localized defect can induce a rich spectrum of excitonic states, leading to multiple dynamical regimes, from slow, energetically off-resonant trapping to fast, cascaded relaxation through in-gap defect states. Crucially, we quantify how defect-induced polaron shifts and exciton-phonon couplings govern the balance between efficient radiative emission and rapid nonradiative decay. These insights clarify the microscopic origin of defect-assisted loss channels and suggest pathways for tailoring QD optoelectronic properties via surface and defect engineering.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_07230
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Unraveling Exciton Trap Dynamics and Nonradiative Loss Pathways in Quantum Dots via Atomistic Simulations
Hou, Bokang
Gatto, Salvatore
Rudge, Samuel L.
Runeson, Johan E.
Thoss, Michael
Rabani, Eran
Chemical Physics
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Surface defects in colloidal quantum dots are a major source of nonradiative losses, yet the microscopic mechanisms underlying exciton trapping and recombination remain elusive. Here, we develop a model Hamiltonian based on atomistic electronic calculations to investigate exciton dynamics in CdSe/CdS core/shell QDs containing a single hole trap introduced by an unpassivated sulfur atom. By systematically varying the defect depth and reorganization energy, we uncover how defect-induced excitonic states mediate energy relaxation pathways. Our simulations reveal that a single localized defect can induce a rich spectrum of excitonic states, leading to multiple dynamical regimes, from slow, energetically off-resonant trapping to fast, cascaded relaxation through in-gap defect states. Crucially, we quantify how defect-induced polaron shifts and exciton-phonon couplings govern the balance between efficient radiative emission and rapid nonradiative decay. These insights clarify the microscopic origin of defect-assisted loss channels and suggest pathways for tailoring QD optoelectronic properties via surface and defect engineering.
title Unraveling Exciton Trap Dynamics and Nonradiative Loss Pathways in Quantum Dots via Atomistic Simulations
topic Chemical Physics
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.07230