Quantum confinement effect

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-009760",
  "term": "Quantum confinement effect",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The phenomenon where the electronic properties of a material change significantly when its dimensions are reduced to a size comparable to the de Broglie wavelength of its charge carriers. This leads to discrete energy levels, similar to those in atoms, rather than continuous bands. It is observed in semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots, influencing their optical and electrical behavior.",
  "synonyms": [
    "quantum size effect"
  ],
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "charge carrier"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2022, 94, 15. 'Glossary of terms relating to electronic, photonic and magnetic properties of polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 43 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2020-0501)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/quantum-confinement-effect/"
}