Theory 11/Physics, Cosmos & Matter /Nanoscale optics
Blinking Is a Percolation
Blinking is modelled as one trap capturing one carrier. The environment may decide whether traps connect.
Quantum dot blinking is set by percolation of charge traps around the dot rather than by single-trap events, so blinking statistics should change with trap density in a threshold manner.
01The evidence
Blinking statistics follow power laws that vary between dots and between environments, which is consistent with a collective process.
02The tension
Single-trap models predict exponential distributions. The observed power laws require distributions of traps, which are usually fitted rather than explained.
03The mechanism
A dot is surrounded by traps in a matrix. If traps percolate to the dot, charge can be exchanged continuously; if not, the dot is isolated and dark periods are rare.
That makes trap connectivity the control, and predicts a threshold in trap density below which blinking statistics change character.
04What this is not
Those models assume independent traps. This assumes connectivity, which predicts a threshold.
05Predictions
- P1Blinking should change character at a trap density threshold.
- P2Statistics should track connectivity.
- P3Matrix engineering should suppress blinking.
06Refutation
Blinking statistics independent of trap density would favour single-trap models.
07What it changes
It would change how blinking is suppressed in displays.