An electronic device comprising a population of quantum dots embedded in a host
matrix and a primary light source which causes the dots to emit secondary light
of a selected color, and a method of making such a device. The size distribution
of the quantum dots is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted
therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic)
color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted
from the dots themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the dots and light
emitted from the primary source. The dots desirably are composed of an undoped
semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.
