Nearly temperature-independent threshold for amplified spontaneous emission in colloidal CdSe/CdS quantum dot-in-rods

By careful engineering of the core and shell dimensions in CdSe/CdS colloidal hetero-nanocrystals, amplified spontaneous emission can be triggered from either the core, shell, or both states simultaneously. The ASE threshold is almost constant over a temperature interval of 5-325 K. This feature is unique to quantum dots and highlights their potential as a gain material, suitable for lasing at elevated temperatures. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.