Passivation of Si nanocrystals in SiO[sub 2]: Atomic versus molecular hydrogen

Abstract

Photoluminescence measurements were used to investigate the effect of atomic and molecular hydrogen on the passivation of Si nanocrystals in SiO₂. Significant increases in the luminescence intensity and lifetime were found in samples coated with a thin Al layer prior to a standard anneal in molecular hydrogen. This is shown to be consistent with enhanced passivation of the nanocrystals by atomic hydrogen.