Low-dimensional II–VI semiconductor nanostructures of ternary alloys and transition metal ion doping: synthesis, optical properties and applications

Abstract

Light matter interactions in spin-controlled devices, which are also known as dilute magnetic semiconductors, have gained significant attention in the past few years. The strong electron–phonon interaction and outstanding excitonic behavior of II–VI semiconductors are advantages over III–V semiconductors, especially in low-dimensional systems. Herein, we comprehensively review the spin-exchange interactions induced by transition metal ion doping through sp–d exchange, which enhances the possibility of spin-based photonics in binary and ternary alloys and transition metal ion-doped II–VI semiconductors. For one-dimensional structures, few magnetic ions can ferromagnetically couple to form exciton magnetic polarons, resulting in coherent spin-polarized emission, which opens a new horizon for the development of tunable bandgaps, active waveguides, tunable emissions and lasing at the nanoscale based on different structures, compositions, morphologies and excitation conditions. Photonic crystals supply significant information about photon–exciton interactions in coupled optical microcavities. Lastly, we extend the discussion to the most recent advancements of one-dimensional structures for device applications and their possible prospectives in future technology.