quantum dot

plural quantum dots

1. quantum mechanicsengineeringA fluorescent nanoparticle of semiconducting material.

   A quantum dot is a semiconductor crystal a few nanometres (billionths of a metre) across – about 50 atoms wide, in other words.

   2011 June 18, “Dotting the eyes”, in The Economist

   1 more example

   There was talk that Apple would release an iMac with a quantum dot screen last year. But then the company switched course, declaring that the existing process for making these little crystals was too toxic to the environment.

   2016 May 6, Joanna Klein, “How a Mysterious Bacteria Almost Gave You a Better TV”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: QD