The current state-of-the-art of colloidal II-VI nanocrystal formation using
the aqueous/thiol synthesis route is described. Work on single component a
nd heterostructures and mixed compound quantum dots is discussed. The purpo
se of the work is to provide a range of infrared (IR)-emitting materials wi
th high quantum efficiency (QE) as potential gain media for future ultrawid
eband optical amplifiers for high-capacity wavelength-division multiplexing
(WDM) telecommunications systems. Physical and chemical factors influencin
g particle sizes are described.