Tunable absorption and photoluminescence (PL) of lead chalcogenide quantum dots (QD) doped in glasses due to the quantum confinements effect have been actively investigated for application as saturable absorbers, laser sources, and fibre optic amplifiers. Optical properties of QDs have been are fully monitored by controlling their sizes through heat treatment and rare-earth ion doping. Two and three-dimensional precipitation of lead chalcogenide QDs were also realised using silver ion exchange and femtosecond laser irradiation in combination with thermal treatment. Prototypes of microstructured single mode fibres and tapered fibre amplifiers containing QDs proved potentials fo these materials for fibre optic amplifiers application. Further research works on QD-doped solid core fibres, surface passivation of quantum dots and their application for the mid-infrared optical devices are necessary.
