Hexagonal Ag nanoarrays induced enhancement of blue light emission from amorphous oxidized silicon nitride via localized surface plasmon coupling

Opt Express. 2014 Nov 17;22(23):28180-9. doi: 10.1364/OE.22.028180.

Abstract

A significant enhancement of blue light emission from amorphous oxidized silicon nitride (a-SiNx:O) films is achieved by introduction of ordered and size-controllable arrays of Ag nanoparticles between the silicon substrate and a-SiNx:O films. Using hexagonal arrays of Ag nanoparticles fabricated by nanosphere lithography, the localized surface plasmons (LSPs) resonance can effectively increase the internal quantum efficiency from 3.9% to 13.3%. Theoretical calculation confirms that the electromagnetic field-intensity enhancement is through the dipole surface plasma coupling with the excitons of a-SiNx:O films, which demonstrates a-SiNx:O films with enhanced blue emission are promising for silicon-based light-emitting applications by patterned Ag arrays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Light*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / analysis*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Silicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Silicon Compounds
  • silicon nitride
  • Silicon