Electronic structures of silicon nanoribbons

Using first principles calculations, we investigate the electronic properties of silicon nanoribbons (SiNRs). We find that the armchair SiNRs can be metals or semiconductors depending on width. For the zigzag SiNRs, the antiferromagnetic semiconducting state is the most stable one. Under transverse electric field, the zigzag SiNRs become half-metals. These results show that SiNRs have both rich electronic and magnetic properties with potential applications in silicon-based electronic and spintronic nanodevices.