Onsets of the Electron-Hole-Droplet Luminescence in Si

Abstract
We report measurements of the laser excitation thresholds for the onset of electron-hole—droplet luminescence in Si in the temperature range 2.5-19.3 K. The results are consistent with finite-lifetime nucleation theory. Fits to the data determine a surface tension ≲1.1×102 erg/cm2 and a sticking fraction ≲5%.