TITLE:
Physics of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: From Quantum Confinement to Device Applications
AUTHORS:
Tvishaa Prabhu, Sananjay Biswas
KEYWORDS:
Quantum Confinement, Low-Dimensional, Nanomaterials, Excitonic Effects, Topological Phases, Optoelectronic Devices
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Nano Science and Engineering,
Vol.16 No.3,
September
1,
2026
ABSTRACT: Quantum confinement in low-dimensional nanomaterials allows atomic-scale dimensionality engineering to regulate electrical, optical, and topological features. Charge carrier spatial confinement turns continuous bulk bands into discrete quantized states, making the effective band gap size-dependent and reshaping the electronic density of states from square-root in three dimensions to step-like, singular, and discrete spectra in two-, one-, and zero-dimensional systems. Excitonic and many-body effects like greater binding energies and oscillator strengths, result from less dielectric screening and increased Coulomb interactions. Excitons dominate optical response in two-dimensional semiconductors, with dielectric environment and layer thickness regulating their energetics and dynamics. In addition to confinement physics, reduced dimensionality and symmetry breaking stabilize nontrivial topological phases, permitting quantum events. These confinement-driven phenomena affect optoelectronics and energy device performance. Advanced light matter interactions enable ultrathin photodetectors, LEDs, and nanoscale lasers, while mechanically compliant low-dimensional structures enable flexible and wearable photodetection. Through adjustable absorbance and carrier dynamics, quantum confinement increases photovoltaics and photocatalysis. To reach their full potential, these systems need predictive multiscale modeling, precision nanofabrication, and in situ characterization to bridge fundamental physics and scalable device integration.