Visible Light Emission from Silicon Nanoparticles

Orange-red light emission has been observed for the first time from crystalline silicon nanoparticles produced by gas phase synthesis in a non-thermal microwave plasma. The size and crystalline nature of the particles have been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Photoluminescence at 300 K and 77 K has been measured and analyzed. The emission spectra are consistent with quantum mechanical calculations based on a quantum box.