Stable blue photoluminescence from porous silicon

Blue emission from porous silicon is realized that is stable and clearly visible to naked eyes even after two months' exposure in ambient air. The porous silicon is formed by the usual anodization with the aid of an oxidative metal but without any postanodization treatment. The origin of this photoluminescence is revealed and interpreted in terms of formation of interfacial oxide-related detects followed by passivation by oxygen. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.