Platinum nanoclusters in silica: Photoluminescent properties and their application for enhancing the emission of silicon nanocrystals in an integrated configuration

Abstract

"We studied photoluminescence of ion implanted platinum nanoclusters embedded in silica. Pt ions were implanted at 2 MeV and the Pt nanoclusters were then nucleated by thermal treatment under either argon, air, or a reducing atmosphere of hydrogen and nitrogen. The nanoclusters showed broad photoluminescence spectra (400 to 600 nm) with a maximum intensity at 530 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of the Pt nanoclusters was sensitive to the ion fluence used during the ion implantation, and luminescence quenching was observed in samples fabricated at high Pt-ion fluence. A hybrid system composed of silicon nanocrystals and platinum nanoclusters embedded in a silica matrix was also made. The photoluminescence of the hybrid system spanned the entire visible spectrum, and emission from the silicon nanocrystals was enhanced."