In-situ studying of CdS nanoparticle growth in glass matrix

This proposal investigates the growth kinetics of CdS nanoparticles, which are stabilized in a dielectric (glass) matrix, using time-resolved SAXS and WAXS at ID02. Linking these kinetics with optical properties was already topic of numerous studies. With the proposed experiments, we will study the in-situ nanoparticle nucleation process, the emergence of different nanoparticle size populations and the evolution of their crystalline structure in a silica glass. A deep understanding of these fundamental principles will immediately improve the production of tunable luminescent materials. Such nanocomposites based on semiconductor nanoparticles in a glass matrix are sought-after for laser technology, in solar cell industry and as natural light sources.