Efficient visible electroluminescence from highly porous silicon under cathodic bias

Abstract

Visible electroluminescence (EL) has been obtained from porous silicon cathodically biased in an aqueous electrolyte containing either the persulphate or the peroxide ion. EL efficiencies of up to 0.1% have been obtained from porous silicon formed on both n-type and p-type substrates for the application of only a few volts bias. In subdued lighting, the EL is easily visible to the naked eye at excitation densities of 0.1 W cm−2. EL is obtained only from porous silicon capable of giving photoluminescence (PL); the EL and PL spectra are broadly similar in width and peak wavelength. The EL spectra are reversibly shifted to shorter wavelengths as the magnitude of the bias is increased. In contrast with the previously reported EL under anodic conditions, this cathodic EL process does not irreversibly oxidize the porous silicon skeleton.