Synthesis and photoluminescence of ultra-pure germanium nanoparticles


Chivas R., Yerci S., Li R., Dal Negro L., Morse T. F.

OPTICAL MATERIALS, vol.33, no.11, pp.1829-1832, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.optmat.2011.07.009
  • Journal Name: OPTICAL MATERIALS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1829-1832
  • Keywords: Nanocrystals, Light emission, Germanium materials, Aerosol synthesis, CHEMICALLY ETCHED GERMANIUM, INFRARED PHOTOLUMINESCENCE, GE NANOCRYSTALS, QUANTUM DOTS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

We have used aerosol deposition to synthesize defect and micro-strain free, ultra-pure germanium nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images show a core-shell configuration with highly crystalline core material. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements verify the presence of highly pure, nano-scale germanium with average crystallite size of 30 nm and micro-strain of 0.058%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that GeOx (x <= 2) shells cover the surfaces of the nanoparticles. Under optical excitation, these nanoparticles exhibit two separate emission bands at room temperature: a visible emission at 500 nm with 0.5-1 ns decay times and an intense near-infrared emission at 1575 nm with up to similar to 20 mu s lifetime. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.