Photoluminescence from silicon nanostructures: The mutual role of quantum confinement and surface chemistry

Amir Saar

doi:10.1117/1.3111826

1 March 2009 Photoluminescence from silicon nanostructures: The mutual role of quantum confinement and surface chemistry

Amir Saar

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Nanophotonics, Vol. 3, Issue 1, 032501 (March 2009). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3111826

Abstract

Recent developments in the field of silicon nanostructures, particularly those properties and phenomena that are related to the photoluminescence (PL) from silicon nanostructures, have attracted much attention lately. A major source of controversy and disagreement among researchers is the underlying mechanism behind the PL. Two classes of models, i.e., the quantum confinement model that assigns the PL to quantum size effects in the nanocrystalline silicon core of the nanostructures and the surface chemistry model that assign the PL to surface phenomena at the interface between the crystalline core and the host matrix that wrap the nanostructures, are the most notable ones. In recent years, alternative structures to porous silicon, which allow synthesizing high quality silicon nanostructures with better control of their dimensionality, shape and size distribution, have emerged. In particular, fabrication techniques of silicon nanocrystals embedded in silicon-dioxide (SiO₂) matrices have reached a level where consistent investigation of surface and quantum size phenomena can be performed. Recent experimental results and theories suggest that none of the above models alone can explain the entire spectrum of optical phenomena in silicon nanostructures. Instead, a refined model that takes into account the mutual role of quantum confinement and surface chemistry in shaping the optical properties of these nanostructures should be considered.

Citation Download Citation

Amir Saar "Photoluminescence from silicon nanostructures: The mutual role of quantum confinement and surface chemistry," Journal of Nanophotonics 3(1), 032501 (1 March 2009). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3111826

Published: 1 March 2009

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available