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Micro World

How small is a semiconductor quantum dot?

A typical semiconductor quantum dot is about 10 nm across.

What is measured: typical colloidal quantum dot diameter

Semiconductor Quantum Dot (10 nm) drawn to scale beside a DNA double helix (2 nm) and a ribosome (25 nm)
Drawn to scale, from left to right: DNA double helix (2 nm), Semiconductor Quantum Dot (10 nm) and Ribosome (25 nm).

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How big is that, really?

  • About 2 would fit across a ribosome
  • As wide as about 5 DNA double helices side by side
  • About 10 would fit across a flu virus

Learn

Facts about Semiconductor Quantum Dot

Quantum dots glow in different colors depending on their exact size, a property used in QLED televisions.

Source: Nature Nanotechnology reviews on quantum dots

Micro World

NameSizeCompared with Semiconductor Quantum Dot
Bacteriorhodopsin Molecule5 nm0.5×
Transfer RNA Molecule8 nm0.8×
Amyloid Beta Fibril10 nmsame size
Semiconductor Quantum Dot10 nmthis page
Nucleosome11 nm1.1×
Ferritin Molecule12 nm1.2×
Colloidal Gold Nanoparticle20 nm2×
Bacteriophage Phi X17427 nm2.7×
Qβ Bacteriophage28 nm2.8×
Silver Nanoparticle40 nm4×

Test your sense of scale

Which is bigger: Semiconductor Quantum Dot or Ferritin Molecule?

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