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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals
Published on: April 14, 2020
Size- and dimensionality-dependent optical, magnetic and magneto-optical properties of binary europium-based
Xingzhi Zhou1, Kelvin H L Zhang2, Jie Xiong3
1School of Energy Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Europium chalcogenides (EuX, X = O, S, Se, Te), a class of prototypical Heisenberg magnetic semiconductors, exhibit intriguing properties in optics, magnetism, and magneto-optics at the nanoscale, and have broad application potential in optical/magnetic sensors, spintronics, optical isolators, etc. EuX nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit enhanced properties, such as high saturation magnetization, a strong magneto-optic effect (Faraday rotation), and high magneto resistance, which are all unanimously dependent on the NC's size, shape, and surface information. In this report, we give an overview of the fundamental properties of bulk EuX, and illustrate the quantum confinement effects on the optical, magnetic and magneto-optical properties of EuX nanostructures. We then focus on doping and self-assembly-two efficient methods that enhance magnetic properties by manipulating magnetic coupling in EuX nanostructures. In particular, we look towards future research on Eu(2+) NCs, which along with the overview provides an up-to-date platform for evaluating the fundamental properties and application potential of Eu-based semiconductors.
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