Exciton formation and annihilation during 1D impact excitation of carbon nanotubes

Near-infrared electroluminescence was recorded from unipolar single-wall carbon nanotube field-effect transistors at high drain-source voltages. High resolution spectra reveal resonant light emission originating from the radiative relaxation of excitons rather than heat dissipation. The electroluminescence is induced by only one carrier type and ascribed to 1D impact excitation. An emission quenching is also observed at high field and attributed to an exciton-exciton annihilation process and free carrier generation. The excitons' binding energy in the order of 270 meV for 1.4 nm SWNTs is inferred from the spectral features.