Quantum confined nanostructures with improved homogeneity and methods for making the same

An article, comprising:

• a substrate comprising a layer of a crystalline material, the layer of the crystalline material comprising locations of increased strain in the crystalline material relative to strain in the crystalline material away from the locations;
• and
• a quantum confined nanostructure layer supported by the substrate and in contact with a surface of the layer of the crystalline material, the quantum confined nanostructure layer comprising one or more quantum confined nanostructures each comprising a layer of an epitaxial crystalline material, each of the one or more quantum confined nanostructures being located at a corresponding one of the locations of increased strain in the layer of the crystalline material,
• wherein each quantum confined nanostructure has a dimension corresponding to a first wavelength and the substrate comprises a layer that substantially absorbs light at the first wavelength.