LUMINESCENT BANDS AND THEIR PROPOSED ORIGINS IN HIGHLY POROUS SILICON

The striking photoluminescent properties of porous silicon nanostructures have received intense study since 1990. This literature review focuses on the large number of models proposed to account for efficient light emission. Two distinct luminescence bands in the visible spectral range have received most study. Strong evidence now exists that quantum confined carriers in crystalline Si can yield efficient red to green ('S band') luminescence.' The blue ('F band') emission reported to date in oxidised porous Si is, however, unlikely to arise from quantum confinement effects.