Interaction between femtosecond laser pulses and CdSxSe1-x quantum dots in glasses

Interaction between femtosecond laser pulses and semiconductor nanocrystals is thoroughly studied. Absorption, Raman, and photoluminescence spectra together with transmission electron microscopy images are presented for irradiated regions and compared to those of the pristine material. A simple model based on charge transfer to the glass matrix from the nanocrystals is adopted to explain the strong color changes and the photoluminescence quenching induced by the femtosecond laser pulses.