Photoluminescence of Si nanoparticles synthesized using multi-hollow discharge plasma CVD

We have measured photoluminescence spectra of crystalline and amorphous Si nanoparticles dispersed in methanol to demonstrate exciton generation under 244nm and 405nm laser light excitation. The photoluminescence spectra have broad peaks centered at 484–500nm, indicating exciton generation in crystalline and amorphous Si nanoparticles. In addition, the peaks corresponding to the recombination centers at their surface defects are observed at 324nm–380nm. This indicates the importance of termination of surface defects on nanoparticles for application to solar cells.