Chapter 1 Light Emission in Silicon

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes light emission in silicon (Si). The many and diverse approaches to materials science problems have greatly enhanced ability in recent times to engineer the physical properties of semiconductors. Silicon, of all semiconductors, underpins nearly all microelectronics today and will continue to do so for some time to come. However, in optoelectronics, the severe disadvantage of an indirect bandgap has limited the application of elemental Si. The ubiquitous Si microelectronics “chip” is taken for granted in modern society. There has been much research involved in producing these high technology marvels and such research continues unabated at a faster and faster pace. The merging of Si based electronics with photonics has largely required the pursuit of hybrid technologies for light emitters and modulators, which are often both expensive and complicated to produce. The general requirements in Si-based light sources are efficient light emitting diodes, lasers, and optical amplifiers for use in optical communications technologies such as fiber optics and displays.