title: Exciton Dynamics in InSb Colloidal Quantum Dots.
abstract: Extraordinarily fast biexciton decay times and unexpectedly large optical gaps are two striking features observed in InSb colloidal quantum dots that have remained so far unexplained. The former, should its origin be identified as an Auger recombination process, would have important implications regarding carrier multiplication efficiency, suggesting these nanostructures as potentially ideal active materials in photovoltaic devices. The latter could offer new insights into the factors that influence the electronic structure and consequently the optical properties of systems with reduced dimensionality and provide additional means to fine-tune them. Using the state-of-the-art atomistic semiempirical pseudopotential method we unveil the surprising origins of these features and show that a comprehensive explanation for these properties requires delving deep into the atomistic detail of these nanostructures and is, therefore, outside the reach of less sophisticated, albeit more popular, theoretical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sills
authors.affiliation: Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield S1 1WB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds , Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Califano
keywords: Auger processes; colloidal quantum dots; k-vector analysis; nanocrystals; pseudopotential method; stoichiometry