Luminescence of nanocrystalline ZnSe:Cu

A chemical synthesis is described in which ZnSe:Cu particles slowly grow to a final size of $\text{∼3.5\hspace{0.05em}}\mathrm{nm}$ radius in 4 h reaction time. During particle growth, samples are extracted to study the luminescence as a function of particle size and temperature. Quantum size effects are observed to influence both the ZnSe and the ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{\text{2+}}$ luminescence. Temperature-dependent measurements on the luminescence intensity, lifetime, and peak positions are reported and discussed.