In situ passivation and blue luminescence of silicon clusters using a cluster beam/H2O codeposition production method

Si clusters are produced in a gas aggregation source and fly through ultrahigh vacuum onto a cold target where they are codeposited with water vapor. Melting of the ice yields immediately a suspension of nanoparticles that emits intense, nondegrading luminescence in the blue wavelength range. Spectroscopic analysis reveals a Si/SiO core-shell structure where the luminescence stems from oxygen deficient defects. The main advantage of our production method is that it yields the luminescent Si nanoparticles in one step.