Fig. 1: Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as optical gain material.

a Typical loss channels for population inversion through bi-exciton Auger recombination, affecting the inversion lifetime τg and photon loss through a finite photon-cavity lifetime (τc). (b) Calculated CW pump threshold as a function of the biexciton Auger lifetime τXX (horizontal axis) and cavity lifetimes varying (colors) from 1 ps to 1 ns, adapted from Park et al. 11