Modulation of quantum dot photoluminescence in porous silicon photonic crystals as a function of the depth of their penetration

Abstract

Photonic crystals doped with fluorescent nanoparticles offer a plenty of interesting applications in photonics, laser physics, and biosensing. Understanding of the mechanisms and effects of modulation of the photoluminescent properties of photonic crystals by varying the depth of nanoparticle penetration should promote targeted development of nanocrystal-doped photonic crystals with desired optical and morphological properties. Here, we have investigated the penetration of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into porous silicon photonic crystals and performed experimental analysis and theoretical modeling of the effects of the depth of nanoparticle penetration on the photoluminescent properties of this photonic system. For this purpose, we fabricated porous silicon microcavities with an eigenmode width not exceeding 10 nm at a wavelength of 620 nm. CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs fluorescing at 617 nm with a quantum yield of about 70% and a width at half-height of about 40 nm were used in the study. Confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to estimate the depth of penetration of QDs into the porous silicon structure; the photoluminescence spectra, kinetics, and angular fluorescence distribution were also analyzed. Enhancement of QD photoluminescence at the microcavity eigenmode wavelength was observed. Theoretical modeling of porous silicon photonic crystals doped with QDs was performed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) approach. Theoretical modeling has predicted, and the experiments have confirmed, that even a very limited depth of nanoparticle penetration into photonic crystals, not exceeding the first Bragg mirror of the microcavity, leads to significant changes in the QD luminescence spectrum determined by the modulation of the local density of photonic states in the microcavity. At the same time, complete and uniform filling of a photonic crystal with nanoparticles does not enhance this effect, which is as strong as in the case of a very limited depth of nanoparticle penetration. Our results will help to choose the best technology for fabrication of efficient sensor systems based on porous silicon photonic crystals doped with fluorescent nanoparticles.