Localized electronic excitations in crystalline phenacite Be2SiO4

The results of coordinated spectroscopic studies of the nature and properties of electronic excitations localized at regular and defect sites of the Be₂SiO₄ lattice are presented. The methods employed are electron-beam-excited pulsed absorption spectroscopy, pulsed cathodoluminescence, and low-temperature VUV spectroscopy with selective excitation by synchrotron radiation. The bands in luminescence spectra of Be₂SiO₄ at 2.70 and 3.15 eV are assigned to [AlO₄]^5? and [SiO₄]^4? centers formed both in direct relaxation of electronic excitations at defect levels and through the formation of exciton-defect complexes. Disruptions of beryllium-oxygen bonds (short-lived defects in the form of beryllium vacancies V _Be ^? ) are considered as initiating the formation of optically active centers with characteristic absorption bands in the range 1.5–4.0 eV. The intrinsic luminescence of the Be₂SiO₄ crystal at 3.6 and 4.1 eV is attributed to radiative decay of self-trapped excitons of two types. A mechanism of exciton self-trapping at the [SiO₄] and [BeO₄] tetrahedral groups is proposed, which involves excitation transfer from a threefold-coordinated oxygen atom to neighboring silicon or beryllium atoms.     

The optical properties of Be,Mg and Zn-diffused gallium phosphide

Interest in the Ga-site acceptors Be and Mg was stimulated by the possibility that they might produce efficient luminescence on association with O, analogous to the well-known red Zn-O luminescence in GaP but at higher transition energy. Attention was directed to diffusion doping by Be and Mg of GaP O-doped during growth because the reactivity of Be and Mg with O renders double doping during crystal growth very difficult. Structured green donor-acceptor pair spectra were observed at 1.6°K from many Be-diffused crystals, yielding an accurate measure of (E_A)_BE, 50 ± 1 meV. Moderately efficient orange-red luminescence was also observed below ∼ 100 °K from these crystals, but the intensity of this luminescence decreased rapidly to negligible levels by ∼ 200°K. This luminescence also contains sharp structure at 1.6°K, of a form characteristic of the decay of excitons bound to complex centres. Many sharp phonon replicas occur, involving local modes as well as characteristic GaP modes. One set of no-phonon lines, at least, near 2.19 eV, shows zero-field splitting, luminescence decay times and behaviour in magnetic and external strain fields characteristic of exciton decay at a centre with <100>; or <111>-type symmetry axes, containing no extra electronic particles. The exciton state is split by 2.4 meV by J-J coupling, and the axial field of the centre splits the hole states by ∼ 1.0 meV. These bound excitons are specifically characteristics of diffused GaP and appear analogous to bound excitons observed below 2.12 eV in Zn-diffused GaP. It is probable that the relevant centres contain diffusion components such as Be or Zn interstitials and improbable that O_P is involved. By contrast, weak orange bound exciton luminescence observed in Mg-diffused GaP does involve O, presumably as O_P. No analysis of the magneto-optical behaviour of this Mg-related bound exciton was possible in our crystals, so its symmetry axis was not established. It is possible that this is the Mg_Ga-O_P bound exciton. If so, the two-fold reductions in the exciton localisation energy from ∼ 0.32 eV to ∼ 0.15 eV and in the mass of the Ga-site substituent has produced dramatic changes in the form of the phonon cooperation between the Zn-O and “Mg-O” excitons. The “Mg-O” exciton luminescence is not dominant in our crystals, even at low temperature. The exciton state is again split by a local crystal field as well as by J-J coupling, but here the former splitting is predominant; 2_∈0 = 3.9 meV, Δ = 0.60 meV.     

Radiative and nonradiative recombination of self-trapped exciton on silicon nanocrystal interface

The theory of the multiphonon and radiative recombination of a self-trapped exciton on the interface of a silicon nanocrystal in a SiO₂ matrix is developed. Self-trapped excitons play a key role in the hot carrier dynamics in nanocrystals under photoexcitation. The ratio of the probabilities of the multiphonon and radiative recombination of the self-trapped exciton is estimated. The probabilities of exciton tunnel transition from the self-trapped state to a nanocrystal are calculated for nanocrystals of various sizes. The infrared range spectrum of the luminescence of the self-trapped exciton is obtained.     

Induced absorption and gain from high density excitons in CdS

Induced absorption and gain in CdS at 1.8 K has been investigated under excitation densities up to 10 MW cm^?2. The absorption and gain below the free exciton energy is governed by exciton interactions and optical conversion of excitons into excitonic molecules. At the highest density, induced transparency due to excitonic molecule recombinations is observed. E_M=5.1002 eV is determined.     

DC transformer: Dream or reality?

We propose to use the exciton coupling between electrons and holes in different quantum wells to reach a strong Coulomb drag effect. The drag has to be really strong below the Mott transition when the most of the carriers are bound in excitons. We suggest to use the exciton drag for fabrication of DC transformer. Preliminary estimates for Si/SiO₂/Si structure give the Mott transition temperature of the order of 100 K.     

Optical spectra and energy band structure of AgAsS2 crystals

Ground and excited states of three exciton series are observed in the region of fundamental absorption edge of AgAsS₂ crystals. The contours of exciton reflection spectra are calculated and the main parameters of excitons and energy bands are determined in the center of Brillouin zone. The optical reflection spectra are investigated at 30 K in E∥c and E⊥c polarizations in AgAsS₂ crystals in the region of 2-6 eV. The optical functions are calculated from the reflection spectra and a scheme of electronic transitions responsible for peculiarities of reflection spectra deep into the absorption band is proposed.     

The “Urbach” absorption edge in ALN

The shape of the intrinsic absorption edge of the AlN single crystals has been interpreted under assumption of the absorption of Wannier excitons in the electric field predominantly of charged impurities. The best fit of experimental data is obtained forE _G6·2–6·3 eV and exciton binding energyR70–80 meV.     

Lifetimes of bound excitons in CdSe

Lifetime measurements have been made on bound excitons in CdSe, by using the time-correlated single photon counting and a cw mode-locked dye laser. The lifetimes of the T₂ (an exciton bound to a neutral donor) and I₁ (an exciton bound to be a neutral acceptor) bound excitons have been determined to be 0.50±0.05 and 0.80±0.05 ns, respectively. These values are in good agreement with those predicted by the model of Rashba and Gurgenishvili.     

Thermal dissociation of excitons in a type-I GaAs/AlAs superlattice studied by time-resolved photoluminescence measurements

In order to investigate thermal properties of excitons, we have performed time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements for a type-I (GaAs)₁₅/(AlAs)₁₅ superlattice. At low temperatures, PL signals show ordinal exponential time decay, whereas at high temperatures, the PL shows power decay. Such change of PL signals is understood by considering thermal dissociation of exciton into account. At low temperatures, recombination of bound excitons generates PL which shows exponential decay. At temperatures higher than the exciton binding energy, correlation between electrons and holes disappears. Recombination of free excitons causes PL which decays by a power function. By means of the least-squares fitting, we evaluate the portion of bound excitons, recombination time of bound and free excitons as functions of temperatures.     

Resonant exciton trapping at impurity states in silver bromide

Excitation spectra near the indirect exciton edge of AgBr at 1.8K are reported for several luminescence lines from weakly localized excitons. Excitation below the exciton absorption threshold reveals several excited bound exciton states the energetic positions of which are determined. For excitation above the threshold, strong energy dependent structure is observed. It is interpreted in terms of resonant trapping of free excitons in both ground and excited bound exciton states associated with emission of LO(Γ), long wavelength acoustic and intervalley TA(X) and LA(X) phonons as well as combinations and overtones of these. From measurements in doped crystals two bound exciton systems are found to be correlated with Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺, respectively.     

Excited states of bound excitons in ZnO

The bound exciton lines I₅, I₆, and I_{$\text{7}\text{8}$} in ZnO at 5 K are studied in the energetic region of the free excitons and below by means of excitation spectroscopy. Apart from the maxima at the free exciton energies, additional resonances are observed and interpreted as the direct creation of bound excitons in excited states which lie 6meV and 4.5 meV above the ground states.     

Correlation between defect-related electroluminescence and charge trapping in Gd-implanted SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> layers

When amorphous silica is bombarded with energetic ions, various types of defects are created as a consequence of ion-solid interaction (oxygen deficient centers (ODC), non-bridging oxygen hole centers (NBOHC), E^′-centers, etc.). Luminescent peaks from oxygen deficiency centers at 2.7 eV, non-bridging oxygen hole centers at 1.9 eV and defect centers with emission at 2.07 eV were observed by changing the concentration of implanted Gd³⁺ ions. Charge trapping in Gd-implanted SiO₂ layers was induced using constant current electron injection to study the electroluminescence intensity with dependence on the applied voltage change. The process of electron trap generation during high field carrier injection results in an increase of the electroluminescence from non-bridging oxygen hole centers. Direct correlation between electron trapping and the quenching of the electroluminescence at 2.07 eV and 2.7 eV was observed with variation of the implanted Gd concentration. PACS 78.60.i; 72.20.Jv; 78.20.-e     

Synthesis, structural and optical properties of a novel bilayered organic-inorganic perovskite C5Pb2I5

Single crystals of [C₅H₁₁NH₃]Pb₂I₅, abbreviated C₅Pb₂I₅, have been prepared. This compound is a new member of the family of the bilayered organic-inorganic lead-iodide based perovskites. Its crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The inorganic sub-lattice consists of periodic bilayers of iodoplumbate octahedra. Each PbI₆ octahedra exhibits both edge- and corner-sharing with adjacent octahedra. The vibrational properties of this compound have been studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy. Optical absorption, photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance measurements have been performed. The room-temperature bandgap and free exciton absorption bands are observed at 2.46 and 2.23 eV, respectively. The exciton binding energy is 230 meV which is the largest value ever reported till date for the bilayered PbI based perovskites. Calculations assuming Wannier-type quasi-two-dimensional excitons and taking into account the image potential of the exciton charges showed that nearly 64% of the exciton binding energy is due to the dielectric confinement effect.     

Exciton-induced defect formation in KJ-T1 crystal and the defect participation in thallium luminescence

Abstract

The interaction of excitons with lattice defects - Tl ions in the activated KJ crystal is studied at low temperatures. Luminescence of Tl under the excitation in the 1s exciton absorption band (5.85 eV) is examined. The participation of the localized excitons created and trapped near Tl ions during that process is shown. Those localized excitons decay into lattice defect pairs which take part directly in the excitation and luminescence of Tl and cause a broadening of Tl luminescence bands.     

Optical properties of porous silicon

We have measured the absorption spectra and the dispersion of refractive index for porous silicon samples with different porosities in the energy range 1.5–3.5 eV at room temperatures. The experimental data are compared with the dependences calculated by using Bruggeman’s theory for the dielectric constant of a multicomponent system composed of crystal silicon, SiO₂, amorphous silicon, and voids (pores). The best agreement between the experimental and theoretical dependences is achieved for a significant percentage of SiO₂ in the porous silicon samples.     

The absorption spectrum and excitons in an Ag2CdI4 ionic conductor

The electron absorption spectrum of thin stochiometric Ag₂CdI₄ films produced by thermal vacuum deposition on a quartz substrate in is investigated. The spectrum shape is sensitive to the method of preparation (the substrate temperature and deposition rate). Under optimal preparation conditions, the films are free of AgI and CdI₂ impurities and the fundamental absorption edge is at 3.28 eV. The long-wavelength exciton A band at 3.31 eV (90 K) is associated with the excitation of excitons in the AgI sublattice of the compound. An investigation of the temperature dependence of the spectral position and half-width of the A band in the range 90–430 K revealed that the exciton-phonon interaction makes the major contribution to the broadening of the band at T ≤360 K. At higher temperatures, the contribution associated with the generation of Frenkel defects with activation energy U _F=0.200±0.025 eV appears.     

Features of the optical absorption of crystals of the fullerene C60 in the region of the orientational phase transition

The absorption coefficient of perfect single crystals of the fullerene C₆₀ is measured in the energy range 1.6–2.1 eV at temperatures from 4.2 to 300 K. An absorption fine structure is discovered in the and is assigned to electronic and vibronic transitions with the production of free excitons and excitons localized on structural defects. It is shown that in the region of the structural phase transition from a face-centered cubic structure to a simple cubic structure the absorption coefficient undergoes a jump, which is associated with an energy shift of the free exciton line toward lower energies. It is discovered that spatial inhomogeneity, which is associated with the growth of the new phase from a finite number of nuclei, appears in the crystal at the time of this transition. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 2211–2224 (December 1998)     

The excitonic absorption spectrum of thin Ag2ZnI4 films

The electron absorption spectrum of thin films of the Ag₂ZnI₄ complex compound is studied at photon energies of 3–6 eV. It is established that the interband absorption edge corresponds to an allowed direct transitions across the energy gap E _g=3.7 eV. A strong exciton band is adjacent to the absorption edge at E _ex=3.625 eV (80 K); in the 80–390 K range, the temperature behavior of the half-width Γ of this band is determined by the exciton-phonon interaction typical of quasi-one-dimensional excitons. At T≤390 K, a discontinuity in the slope of the E _ex(T) and Γ(T) dependences is observed. This discontinuity is associated with the generation of Frenkel defects and is accompanied by the transfer of Ag ions to the interstitial sites and vacancies of the crystal lattice of the compound.     

On the possibility of a flare-up of discrete exciton absorption structure in n-CdxHg1−xTe crystals in a magnetic field

A discrete absorption peak with an exciton-like behavior was observed to flare up in Cd_xHg_1?xTe with x≈0.3 when a magnetic field H was applied. Its diamagnetic shift, which is replaced at high H by a close-to-linear relationship typical for diamagnetic exciton spectroscopy, and the splitting permit one to evaluate ?_g=0.2579±0.0001 eV and to calculate the band parameters of the material. Evaluation of the fluctuation potential well depth for the electrons and holes suggests, however, a high probability of exciton trapping at potential wells at H = 0 and x ≈ 0.3. Application of a magnetic field above 40 k0e can break the Coulomb bond between the electron and the hole, whereas at lower fields the existence of excitons is possible.     

Photoluminescence observation of donor pairs in silicon

The asymmetric broadening with a tail on the lower energy side and the peak shift to lower energies are observed in the luminescence band due to bound excitons in silicon crystals which contain phosphorus impurities below the critical concentration for semiconductor-metal transition (8 × 10¹⁶ -3 × 10¹⁸ cm^-3). These behaviors are understood in terms of an exciton bound to a donor pair in silicon.