quantum dot

noun

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of quantum dot

: a semiconductor nanocrystal exhibiting quantum mechanical effects that allow it to mimic the properties of an atom

The quantum dot is a semiconducting (or metallic) region so tiny that it is essentially confined in all three dimensions; like an atom, it contains a finite number of charges and has discrete energy levels.
—Barbara Goss Levi

Recent Examples of quantum dot from the Web

In these windows, quantum dots, which are tiny semiconductor particles, absorb light at UV and infrared frequencies and re-emit it at the wavelengths that traditional solar cells capture.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "Skyscrapers could soon generate their own power, thanks to see-through solar cells," 28 June 2018
There are some similarities here to Samsung's quantum dots implementation.

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "The best PCs, gadgets, and wearables of CES 2018," 12 Jan. 2018
The background noise from quantum dots outside the cell was quenched by administering a third substance, called an etchant.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cancer imaging method produces clearer signals," 3 Sep. 2017
Researchers used fluorescent nanoparticles called quantum dots to produce an infrared signal.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cancer imaging method produces clearer signals," 3 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quantum dot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.