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Dr. Dan Oron
Dept. of Physics of Complex Systems
Weizmann Institute of Science
Dan Oron was born in Rehovot, Israel, in 1974. He completed his undergraduate studies in physics and
mathematics in the Hebrew University. His Master’s work, conducted under the supervision of
professors Dov Shvarts and Reuben Thieberger, dealt with the development of models for the evolution
of turbulence under hydrodynamically unstable conditions. His PhD studies on ultrafast spectroscopy
were conducted under the supervision of Professor Yaron Silberberg at the Weizmann institute of
science. During his postdoctoral studies with Professor Uri Banin at the Hebrew University, Dr. Oron
started working with semiconductor nanocrystals. In 2007 he joined the faculty of physics of the
Weizmann Institute.
The main research thrust of Oron’s group is the study of the optical properties of
semiconductor nanocrystals (also termed ‘quantum dots’). These particles’ typical size does not exceed
ten nanometers, and thus they contain only several hundreds or thousands of atoms. Unlike bulk
materials, for such small clusters of matter, the properties of matter strongly depend on shape and size.
As a result, nano-scale materials can have properties which are simply unachievable for bulk materials.
The only practical way to fabricate such small nanocrystals is by wet chemical methods, via
the process known as ‘self-assembly’. Achievement of the required degree of control over these
reactions to fabricate ‘engineered’ nanocrystals, containing several materials in a controlled
arrangement, is a major challenge. This type of control can enable fabrication of particles with unique
properties such as two-color quantum emitters or nonlinear optical scatterers, which can scatter light at
a different color than the one they are illuminated by.
A major component in achievement of physical understanding of dynamic processes in
nanocrystals arises from the ability to look at them one by one. This allows to identify differences
between particles belonging to a seemingly identical group, as well as to study dynamical evolution
over time. One example of a process whose discovery required single particle observation is ‘blinking’
– a naturally occurring spontaneous transition from a ‘bright’ emitting state to a ‘dark’ one. Single
particle observation requires delicate experimental techniques due to the exceedingly low light levels
involved, but is a crucial component in design of functional particles.
In parallel with the work on design and study of semiconductor nanocrystals, Oron’s group
also studies the potential exploitation of the unique properties of these particles to the development of
new types of photovoltaic cells, or towards achieving efficiency improvements in already existing solar
cells. Finally, Oron’s group is taking part in a number of national and international collaborative efforts
on varied topics including ultrafast spectroscopy, optogenetic photoexcitation of neurons and readout
of their activity and study of the optical properties of biogenic crystals.
For more information check our website at: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/complex/DOron