量子点，获2023年诺贝尔化学奖！

Everyone who studies chemistry learns that an element’s properties are governed by how many electrons it has. However, when matter shrinks to nano-dimensions  quantum phenomena  arise; these are governed by the size of the matter. The Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 2023 have succeeded in producing particles so small that their properties are determined by quantum phenomena. The particles, which are called quantum dots, are now of great importance in nanotechnology.

“Quantum dots have many fascinating and unusual properties. Importantly, they have different colours depending on their size,” says Johan Åqvist, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

Physicists had long known that in theory size-dependent quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles, but at that time it was almost impossible to sculpt in nanodimensions. Therefore, few people believed that this knowledge would be put to practical use.

However, in the early 1980s,  Alexei Ekimov  succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass. The colour came from nanoparticles of copper chloride and Ekimov demonstrated that the particle size affected the colour of the glass via quantum effects.

A few years later,  Louis Brus  was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a fluid.

In 1993,  Moungi Bawendi  revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles. This high quality was necessary for them to be utilised in applications.

Quantum dots now illuminate computer monitors and television screens based on QLED technology. They also add nuance to the light of some LED lamps, and biochemists and doctors use them to map biological tissue.

Quantum dots are thus bringing the greatest benefit to humankind. Researchers believe that in the future they could contribute to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and encrypted quantum communication – so we have just started exploring the potential of these tiny particles.

Moungi G. Bawendi ，1961年生于法国巴黎。1988年博士毕业于美国芝加哥大学。美国马萨诸塞州剑桥市麻省理工学院(MIT)教授。

Louis E. Brus , 1943年生于美国俄亥俄州克利夫兰。1969年美国纽约哥伦比亚大学博士。美国纽约哥伦比亚大学教授。

Alexei I. Ekimov , 1945年出生于前苏联。1974年获得俄罗斯圣彼得堡约菲物理技术学院博士学位。曾任美国纽约纳米晶体技术公司首席科学家。