Sensitized photoluminescence of erbium silicate synthesized on porous silicon framework

Abstract

Er silicate/porous silicon (PS) composites with effective sensitized erbium emission at 1.53 μm have been synthesized on the PS framework. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction reveal that the PS is coated by Er silicate in composites. Indirect excitation of Er3+ ion luminescence via energy transfer from PS is confirmed. The temperature dependence of Er-related photoluminescence intensity and lifetime is investigated, which concludes a phonon-mediated energy transfer process. The combination of the PS framework and Er silicate provides a possible strategy for practical silicon-based light sources.