Quantum size effect and persistent hole burning of CuI nanocrystals

Abstract
A quantum size effect of nanometer-size CuI microcrystallites (nanocrystals) embedded in glass was investigated and was found to follow the strong-confinement model. Persistent spectral hole burning and thermally annealing hole filling phenomena were observed in samples (CuI nanocrystals in glass). Unusual luminescence behavior (luminescence elongation followed by the increase of light exposure) was also observed. These observed phenomena are explained by the photoionization model of nanocrystals.