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Nanoscale Electrically Driven Light Source Based on Hybrid Semiconductor/Metal Nanoantenna.
Denis V Lebedev1,2,3, Vitaly A Shkoldin1,4, Alexey M Mozharov2
1St. Petersburg Academic University, 8/3 Khlopina str., St. Petersburg 194021, Russia.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|May 19, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a simple method to create tiny, electrically controlled light sources using a silicon/gold film stack. This technique enables the fabrication of nanoscale hybrid nanoantennas that emit visible light through electron tunneling.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Nanoscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- Micro- and nanosized electrically controlled optical radiation sources are crucial for optoelectronic systems.
- Light Emission via Inelastic Tunneling (LEIT) offers novel pathways for developing advanced light sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a straightforward method for fabricating nanoscale, electrically driven light sources.
- To demonstrate the creation of hybrid silicon/gold nanoantennas using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) lithography.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing STM lithography to induce local surface modification on a Si/Au film stack.
- Employing high-density tunnel current to generate localized heating for fabrication.
- Forming hybrid Si/Au nanoantennas with diameters as small as 60 nm.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated nanoscale hybrid Si/Au nanoantennas.
- Confirmed efficient photon emission in the visible spectrum from the fabricated nanoantennas.
- Demonstrated that emission is due to inelastic electron scattering.
Conclusions:
- The proposed STM-based approach is effective for fabricating nanosized hybrid nanoantennas.
- The resulting nanoantennas function as efficient nanoscale light sources based on LEIT.
- This technique facilitates the study of nanoantenna properties using STM.
