Contents


Preface

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with numerous unique properties and appealing characteristics, such as size-dependent emission

model using quantum confinement behavior.

during the preparation of the book.

this volume.

wavelength, narrow emission peak, and broad excitation range. A QD is an artificial molecule with energy gap and energy level spacing dependent on its size (radius) with an ability to confine electrons (quantum confinement). When the size of a QD approaches the size of the material's exciton Bohr radius, the quantum confinement effect becomes prominent and the electron energy levels can no longer be treated as a continuous band; they must be treated as discrete energy levels. It is possible to achieve highly tunable electrical and optical properties by adjusting the shape, the size, and the composition of a QD, and in doing so, facilitating the use of QDs in a broad range of applications. This book discusses a few theoretical aspects and applications of QDs. The first section substantiates new opportunities to use QDs in the developments and the study of both fundamental theories and applied physics. Precisely controlling the size, shape, emission of color, and band gap of QDs allows for their use in different applications from energy harvesting to biomedicine. The physical and chemical phenomenon of QDs can be explained through a theoretical

The second section discusses the potentials of QDs in biological imaging. It provides

contributions and efforts in bringing up-to-date research and high-quality work to

Lastly, I gratefully acknowledge the IntechOpen publishing team for their support

**Dr. Faten Divsar**

Tehran, Iran

Payame Noor University,

a comprehensive overview of QD applications in tumor targeting and cancer imaging. QDs attract great attention as contrast and therapeutic agents, owing to their unique properties of good light stability, low toxicity, and strong fluorescence

intensity, and the ability to change emission wavelength with their size.

As the editor of this book, I would like to thank all the authors for their
