Synthesis, characterization, and third-order nonlinear optical properties of copper quantum dots embedded in sodium borosilicate glass

► The sodium borosilicate glass doped Cu quantum dots have been prepared by sol-gel route. ► The crystal structure and composition of as-prepared glass were investigated by XRD and XPS. ► Size and distribution of indium nanocrystals was determined by TEM and STEM. ► The third-order optical nonlinearity was investigated by using Z-scan technique.