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Crystalline Silicon White Light Sources Driven by Optical Resonances
Jin Xiang1, Mincheng Panmai1, Shuwen Bai1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.
Nano Letters
|March 15, 2021
Summary
Researchers observed hot electron luminescence from silicon nanoparticles, enabling stable white light emission. This breakthrough paves the way for all-silicon nanolasers in integrated optical circuits.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Silicon (Si) is typically a poor photon emitter, limiting its use in optical applications.
- Previous research focused on improving silicon's photon emission efficiency through various methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hot electron luminescence in silicon nanoparticles.
- To achieve stable white light emission from silicon nanostructures.
- To explore the potential for all-silicon nanolasers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized silicon nanoparticles (150-250 nm) and nanopillars.
- Employed femtosecond laser pulses for resonant excitation.
- Investigated mirror-image-induced magnetic dipole resonance and surface lattice resonance.
- Analyzed two- and three-photon-induced absorption enhancements.
Main Results:
- Observed a burst of hot electron luminescence from Si nanoparticles at high temperatures.
- Achieved stable white light emission by resonantly exciting Si nanoparticles on silver films or Si nanopillar arrays.
- Demonstrated significant enhancements in two- and three-photon absorption.
Conclusions:
- Hot electron luminescence offers a new pathway for efficient light emission from silicon.
- The findings suggest the feasibility of all-Si-based nanolasers with tunable emission wavelengths.
- This technology can be readily integrated into future optical circuits.
