Photoluminescence properties of β-FeSi2 grains on Si with coating Au layer

Abstract

We have investigated the growth of β-FeSi2 grains on Si(001) substrates with 90-nm-thick gold layer and its photoluminescence (PL) property. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that coarse island β-FeSi2 grains with sizes from several to tens of micrometers were formed on the Si surface. A clear PL spectrum for the β-FeSi2 grains was observed on as deposited sample by argon-ion laser irradiation to the Si substrate side. The values of the activation energy for a non-radiative recombination path were large, and indicated the formation of high-crystal-quality β-FeSi2 with a low-level non-radiative center without post-annealing. © 2011 Ceramic Society of Japan.