Size confinement of Si nanocrystals in multinanolayer structures.

ABSTRACT: Si nanocrystals (NCs) are often prepared by thermal annealing of multiple stacks of alternating sub-stoichiometric SiOx and SiO2 nanolayers. It is frequently claimed that in these structures, the NC diameter can be predefined by the thickness of the SiOx layer, while the NC concentration is independently controlled by the stoichiometry parameter x. However, several detailed structural investigations report that the NC size confinement to within the thickness of the SiOx layer is not strictly obeyed. In this study we address these contradicting findings: based on cross-correlation between structural and optical characterization of NCs grown in a series of purposefully prepared samples of different stoichiometry and layer thickness, we develop a comprehensive understanding of NC formation by

SUBMITTER: Limpens R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4658553 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature