Nanocavities and Nanoparticles in Silicon-based Materials Tailored by Ion Implantation

Nanometre sized crystals embedded in different host materials can exhibit novel optical behaviour, including light emission. However, the optical properties depend critically on the ability to tailor the size and size distribution of such nanocrystal inclusions, parameters that are extremely difficult to control. This project is based on our previous discovery that small holes of controlled size and distribution can be formed in silicon by ion irradiation and that such cavities can be filled with fast diffusing elemental species. We intend to explore this novel concept to tailor the size of desired nanocrystals in silicon-based materials for optoelectronics applications.