Abstract

Materials reduced to the nanoscale can show very different properties compared to what they exhibit on a macroscale. A number of physical phenomena become noticeable or are modified as the size of the system decreases. Between them the most striking are the quantum mechanical effects that affect the electronic and optical properties.

Carbon nanotubes and nanocrystals are among the most representative nano-objects. I will show as the optical probe could help in the understanding their peculiar physical properties. Moreover, experiments on exotic hybrids structures as the one reported in the figure will be described.