Synthesis, characterization, and modeling of nitrogen-passivated colloidal and thin film silicon nanocrystals

We review our main experimental and theoretical results on the optical emission properties of Si-nanocrystals (Si-nc's) fabricated by colloidal and thin film deposition techniques' showing that the surface chemistry of the Si-nc's or the surrounding matrix play a crucial role in determining both the structural stability and the optoelectronic properties of Si-nc. Our results, guided by first-principles simulations indicate that nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon atoms bonded to the surface of nanometer silicon clusters play a crucial role in the emission mechanism of small Si quantum dots. The control and the understanding of the Si-nc surface structure and composition can provide alternative routes toward the fabrication of optically active complementary metal/oxide semiconductor devices.