Complex of heavy magnetic ions and luminescent silicon nanoparticles

Abstract

We study the optical properties of luminescent silicon nanoparticles in the presence of magnetic ions of iron or erbium under wet conditions and electric biasing. Upon the introduction of the ions under zero biasing, the brightness is enhanced with some spectral change. Under biasing including breakdown field conditions, the enhancement remains stable and is maintained after recovery of the particles into nanosolid films using electric spray. The ion-nanoparticle interaction is analyzed using first principle atomistic calculations employing unrestricted Hartree-Fock density functional theory. The calculations yield configurations, which show strong binding and stability. The complexes promise diverse applications in magnetic/optical imaging, spatially programmable deposition, spin-based memories and transistors, infrared communications, filtration, as well as interplanetary and interstellar observation and modeling.