Particle size control of PbTe quantum dots incorporated in the germano-silicate glass optical fiber by heat treatment

The effect of heat treatment of the germano-silicate glass optical fiber incorporated with PbTe quantum dots on the absorption characteristics was investigated. Incorporation of the PbTe QDs in the fiber core was confirmed by the absorption peaks that appeared at 687 nm and 1055 nm and their shift upon heat treatment. The absorption peak was found to shift linearly toward a longer wavelength after heat treatment at 700 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C for 1 h. The red shift of the excitonic absorption peak was attributed to the increase in the average size of the PbTe QDs in the fiber core.