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Silicon nanostructures for photonics and photovoltaics
Francesco Priolo1, Tom Gregorkiewicz2, Matteo Galli3
11] Scuola Superiore di Catania, Università di Catania, via Valdisavoia 9, 95123 Catania, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy [3] MATIS IMM-CNR, via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Nature Nanotechnology
|January 7, 2014
Summary
Recent advances in silicon nanostructures are improving its performance for photonics applications like communications and photovoltaics. These functional nanostructures show promise for overcoming silicon
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photonics
Background:
- Silicon is dominant in microelectronics but limited in photonics due to its indirect bandgap.
- Nanoscale engineering is unlocking new electronic and photonic properties in silicon.
- Silicon nanostructures are beginning to rival direct-bandgap materials in performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in silicon nanostructures for photonic applications.
- To focus on communications and photovoltaics as key areas.
- To assess the current state and future challenges for silicon photonics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent developments in silicon nanocrystals, nanowires, and photonic crystals.
- Analysis of nanoscale engineering techniques for silicon.
- Assessment of performance metrics in communications and photovoltaics.
Main Results:
- Silicon nanostructures demonstrate significantly improved photonic properties.
- Performance of some nanostructures approaches or surpasses direct-bandgap materials.
- Progress is notable in silicon nanocrystals, nanowires, and photonic crystals.
Conclusions:
- Silicon nanostructures are emerging as viable materials for advanced photonic applications.
- Further development is needed to overcome limitations and establish silicon as a high-performance photonic material.
- Nanoscale engineering is key to realizing silicon's potential in communications and photovoltaics.
