Modulation effect of microstructures in silicon-rich oxide matrix on photoluminescence from silicon nanoclusters prepared by different fabrication techniques

Abstract

The modulation effect of microstructures on photoluminescence (PL) properties of silicon nanoclusters (Si NCs) in silicon-rich oxide (SRO) matrix prepared by electron-beam evaporation (EBE) and magnetron sputtering (MS) is investigated. A loose and porous microstructure is obtained from the SRO film prepared by EBE, while compact microstructure is acquired from that prepared by MS. The Si NCs with high density and good quality are formed in the SRO film prepared by EBE, and preferable PL performance of Si NCs is achieved in the EBE film with loose and porous microstructure. In contrast, the density and quality of Si NCs in the compact SRO film are suppressed and the PL properties are deteriorated due to the volumetric mismatching during the precipitation procedure of Si NCs. Optimization of the microstructures in SRO films should be made to reduce the volumetric mismatching and improve the PL properties of Si NCs.