Single-dot absorption spectroscopy and theory of silicon nanocrystals

Photoluminescence excitation measurements have been performed on single, unstrained oxide-embedded Si nanocrystals. Having overcome the challenge of detecting weak emission, we observe four broad peaks in the absorption curve above the optically emitting state. Atomistic calculations of the Si nanocrystal energy levels agree well with the experimental results and allow identification of some of the observed transitions. An analysis of their physical nature reveals that they largely retain the indirect band-gap structure of the bulk material with some intermixing of direct band- gap character at higher energies.