Blue light emission from silicon surfaces prepared by spark-erosion and related techniques

Abstract
We have investigated the photoluminescence(PL) of siliconsurfacestreated by spark‐erosion and related techniques as a function of gas composition and pressure.PL emission in the wavelength range of 400–550 nm and with decay times ≤5 ns has been observed. PLquantum efficiencies comparable to that of standard wet chemically prepared porous silicon are obtained. We have never found significant PL emission in the red spectral range. Our dry plasma techniques for the preparation of luminescent siliconsurfaces are a promising alternative to the common anodizing process in hydrofluoric solutions.