Quantum size effect in silicon nanocrystals prepared by dc magnetron sputtering

Abstract

Silicon nanocrystals have been prepared in thin-film form by a dc magnetron sputtering technique. The optical transmission, optical absorption, Raman effect and photoluminescence of the nanocrystals have been studied. The observed blueshift of the band gap due to a reduction in the crystallite size is correlated with the transmission electron microscopy observation. Raman spectra indicated the presence of a TO mode which showed redshift with the decrease in the size of the nanocrystallites.