Ge–Si and Si–Ge core–shell nanocrystals: Theoretical study

Abstract

The electronic and optical properties of GeSi and SiGe core–shell nanocrystals (NCs) were investigated using pure and time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The Si and Ge NCs with diameter of about 2nm are considered for constructing of the GeSi and SiGe core–shell NCs, respectively. The dependency of the optical and electronic properties of GeSi and SiGe core–shell NCs was studied with defined structural parameters as the ratio of the core radius (R1) to the NC radius (R2). It is found that the single particle energy gap, optical gap and exciton binding energy of the different core–shell NCs are strongly dependent on the structural parameter of R1/R2. It is shown that the energy gap, optical gap and lowest exciton binding energy of the both core–shell NCs can be modulated with structural parameter variations. The results presented in this work can be used for development and tuning of the electronic and optoelectronic properties of nanodevices based on Si and Ge core–shell NCs.