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High-Yield Synthesis of Luminescent Silicon Quantum Dots in a Continuous Flow Nonthermal Plasma Reactor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

L. Mangolini ,
E. Thimsen  and
U. Kortshagen
L. Mangolini
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering High Temperature and Plasma Laboratory University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
E. Thimsen
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering High Temperature and Plasma Laboratory University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
U. Kortshagen
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering High Temperature and Plasma Laboratory University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Abstract

Light-emission from silicon based on quantum confinement in nanoscale structures has sparked intense research into this field ever since its discovery about 15 years ago. The lack of a simple high-yield synthesis approach for luminescent silicon nanocrystals has so far hampered their widespread application in such diverse areas as opto-electronics, solid-state lighting for general illumination, and fluorescent agents for biological applications. In this paper we discuss a nonthermal plasma process for the synthesis of luminescent silicon nanocrystals. The particle size is mainly controlled by the residence time in the plasma region. The system is capable of producing several tens of milligrams of luminescent powder per hour.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 862: Symposium A – Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Silicon Science and Technology–2005 , 2005 , A4.3
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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