Quantum Dots for Optical Wireless Communication

Objective

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a promising technology anticipated to play a key role in the next generation of networks, especially as a complementary technology to traditional radio-frequency (RF) communications. LiFi, a WiFi-compatible version of OWC, was standardized in 2023 (IEEE 802.11bb) with operation in near-infrared (800-1000 nm), highlighting OWC's real-world applications. Light sources play a critical role in OWC platforms. Most current OWC development efforts in the UK and worldwide are based on epitaxial light sources (GaN-based LEDs and lasers at Cambridge’s LiFi Centre), and some research explores high-speed organic LEDs (HiSOPE, EIC). While promising, these approaches remain largely restricted to the visible spectrum or a narrow near-infrared band, thereby limiting overall data capacity. Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are nanoscale semiconductor crystals whose emission can be tuned from ultraviolet to infrared. FastQD will target record-class aggregate throughput in OWC, using QD-based light sources across the visible and infrared. FastQD will offer a cost-effective, scalable, RoHS-compliant OWC platform, targeting Gb/s bandwidth. A key challenge for QD-based light sources is to switch fast enough to reach high data rates. FastQD will address this with both nanomaterial and device engineering, and will enable the light to turn on and off much faster.