Sonochemical synthesis and optical properties of amorphous ZnO nanowires

Large-scale amorphous wire-like ZnO nanostructures were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis Zn(CO)₅ without involvement of any template or patterned catalyst. The as-obtained amorphous ZnO nanowires were characterized using scanning/transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction/photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersed X-ray spectrometry, selected area electronic diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal the as-made noncrystalline samples are about 30–60 nm in diameter and several tens of microns in length and the growth mechanism is tentatively proposed as the self-assembly soft template mechanism. The photoluminescence spectra in all of the as-studied specimens exhibit one wide visible emission peak in about 508 nm. The corresponding PL intensity greatly increased with an annealing temperature, which has an application for a high efficiency vacuum fluorescent displays and a low-voltage phosphor.     

Growth parameters and shape specific synthesis of silicon nanowires by the VLS method

In this paper the effect of varying temperature, pressure and chemical precursors on the vapour–liquid–solid (VLS) growth of silicon nanowires (Si NWs) have been investigated. Some aspects of nucleation and growth mechanisms are discussed. Control on Si NW morphology by varying the choice of gaseous precursor (silane or dichlorosilane) at elevated temperatures is reported.     

Aligned growth of ZnO nanowires and lasing in single ZnO nanowire optical cavities

Ordered ZnO nanowire arrays have been fabricated in N₂ background gas by catalyst-free nanoparticle-assisted pulsed-laser deposition. A single ZnO nanowire was collected in an electrode gap by dielectrophoresis. Under the optical pumping above an exciting laser (λ= 355 nm) threshold of ∼ 334 kW/cm², ultraviolet lasing action in a single ZnO nanowire was observed at room temperature, indicating that the as-synthesized nanowires in pure N₂ background gas are of high quality. The crystalline facets of both ends of the nanowire acted to form an optical cavity. Therefore, the mode spacings corresponding to cavity lengths of the respective nanowires were observed in photoluminescence spectra. PACS 78.66.Hf; 81.07.Bc; 78.67.-n; 81.16.Mk     

Ordered tellurium nanowire arrays and their optical properties

High-density tellurium (Te) nanowire arrays were prepared in the nanochannels of an anodic aluminum membrane (AAM) template using the electrochemical deposition method. The as-synthesized Te nanowires, typically 60 nm in diameter and up to 40 μm in length, possess a hexagonal single crystalline structure following [001] growth direction. The optical polarization properties of Te nanowire arrays embedded in AAM were investigated using an optic parameter oscillator in the wavelength range from 0.7 to 1 μm. The high optical polarization of the Te nanowire arrays embedded in the AAM assembly system was observed. PACS 81.05.Cy; 78.67.-n; 82.80.Fk.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of MnO2 nanowires: structural characterizations,optical and magnetic properties

In this paper, 1D single-crystalline MnO₂ nanowires have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method using KMnO₄ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as raw materials. X-ray diffraction patterns and high-resolution TEM images reveal pure tetragonal MnO₂ phase with diameters of 15–20 nm. Photoluminescence studies exhibited a strong ultraviolet (UV) emission band at 380 nm, blue emission at 452 nm and an extra weak defect-related green emission at 542 nm. UV–visible spectrophotometery was used to determine the absorption behavior of nanostructured MnO₂ and a direct optical band gap of 2.5 eV was acquired by Davis–Mott model. The magnetic properties of the products have been evaluated using vibrating sample magnetometer, which showed that MnO₂ nanowires exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The magnetization versus temperature curve of the as-obtained MnO₂ nanowires shows that antiferromagnetic transition temperature is 99 K.     

Excitonic effects and optical properties of passivated CdSe clusters

We calculate the optical properties of a series of passivated nonstoichiometric CdSe clusters using two first-principles approaches: time-dependent density functional theory within the local-density approximation, and by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation for optical excitations with the GW approximation for the self-energy. We analyze the character of optical excitations leading to the first low-energy peak in the absorption cross section of these clusters. Within time-dependent density functional theory, we find that the lowest-energy excitation is mostly a single-level to single-level transition. In contrast, many-body methods predict a strong mixture of several different transitions, which is a signature of excitonic effects. The majority of the clusters have a series of dark transitions before the first bright transition. This may explain the long radiative lifetimes observed experimentally.     

First-principles optical properties of silicon and germanium nanowires

In this work we study the optical properties of hydrogen-passivated, free-standing silicon and germanium nanowires, oriented along the [1 0 0], [1 1 0], [1 1 1] directions with diameters up to about 1.5 nm, using ab-initio techniques. In particular, we show how the electronic gap depends on wire’s size and orientation; such behaviour has been described in terms of quantum confinement and anisotropy effects, related to the quasi one-dimensionality of nanowires. The optical properties are analyzed taking into account different approximations: in particular, we show how the many-body effects, namely self-energy, local field and excitonic effects, strongly modify the single particle spectra. Further, we describe the differences in the optical spectra of silicon and germanium nanowires along the [1 0 0] direction, as due to the different band structures of the corresponding bulk compounds.     

Size-dependent electronic and optical properties of an exciton in CdSe/CdS/CdSe/CdS multilayer spherical quantum dot

The electronic and optical properties of a single exciton in a CdSe/CdS/CdSe/CdS quantum dot is studied by using effective mass approximation with parabolic confinement. The Coloumbic interaction between electron and hole is included by Hartree potential. A self-consistent technique is used to calculate the energy eigenvalue and wavefunction of exciton. Based on this approximation we investigate the effect of core size, shell thickness, well width on exciton binding energy, absorption spectra, and oscillator strength. The results provide the tuning possibility of electronic and optical properties of multilayer quantum dot with layer thickness.     

Microstructural and optical properties of europium-doped zinc oxide nanowires

Single-crystal Eu³⁺-doped wurtzite ZnO micro- and nanowires were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. The nanostructures grew via a self-catalytic mechanism on the walls of an alumina boat. The structure and properties of the doped ZnO were characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) methods. A 10-min synthesis yielded vertically grown nanowires of 50–400 nm in diameter and several micrometers long. The nanowires grew along the ±[0001] direction. The Eu³⁺ concentration in the nanowires was 0.8 at.%. The crystal structure and microstructure of were compared for Eu³⁺-doped and undoped ZnO. PL spectra showed a red shift in emission for Eu³⁺-doped (2.02 eV) compared to undoped ZnO nanowires (2.37 eV) due to Eu³⁺ intraionic transitions. Diffuse reflectance spectra revealed widening of the optical bandgap by 0.12 eV for Eu³⁺-doped compared to undoped ZnO to yield a value of 3.31 eV. Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of europium in the ZnO nanowires.     

Size and temperature dependence of the tensile mechanical properties of zinc blende CdSe nanowires

The effect of size and temperature on the tensile mechanical properties of zinc blende CdSe nanowires is investigated by all atoms molecular dynamic simulation. We found the ultimate tensile strength and Young?s modulus will decrease as the temperature and size of the nanowire increase. The size and temperature dependence are mainly attributed to surface effect and thermally elongation effect. High reversibility of tensile behavior will make zinc blende CdSe nanowires suitable for building efficient nanodevices.     

Photoacoustic characterization of optical and thermal properties of CdSe quantum dots

We report on the optical absorption properties of as prepared CdSe quantum dots (QDs) measured by the photoacoustic (PA) method. CdSe QDs were fabricated by the chemical solution deposition (CD) technique. With increasing growing time, the redshift of the PA spectra can be clearly observed and optical absorption in the visible region due to CdSe Q-dots is demonstrated. The average diameters of the CdSe QDs for each growth time interval is estimated using the effective mass approximation giving diameters ranging from 2.6 nm to 3.4 nm. These values are comparable to those obtained by scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). Thus, PA spectroscopy is useful to obtain the QDs sizes as grown and with no further preparation. In addition, PA measurements provide also the thermal diffusivity of samples of different sizes which in this case show an increase by at least an order of magnitude than the bulk value.     

Eigenstate statistics and optical properties of one-dimensional disordered photonic crystals

Optical eigenstates in one-dimensional disordered photonic crystals were studied. The threshold disorder level was established below which the probability of appearance of an eigenstate at the photonic bandgap center is negligible. The threshold is reached when the relative fluctuation in the optical lengths of the structure periods becomes equal to the square root of one-third of the relative bandgap width. The dependence of the ensemble-averaged structure transmission coefficient on the fluctuation of the period optical length has a break corresponding to the threshold fluctuation.     

Nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

A large number of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were obtained by dilution of nanotube dispersions in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Up to 70% individual SWNTs are contained in the NMP dispersions with concentrations of less than 4.0×10^-3 mg/mL. The nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of SWNT dispersions were studied by using the Z-scan technique at 532 nm. As the concentration of SWNTs is increased, the nonlinear extinction (NLE) and optical limiting effects improve significantly, while the limiting thresholds decrease gradually. The individual SWNTs show similar NLE effect to zinc phthalocyanine nanoparticles, while also exhibiting larger NLE coefficients than Mo₆S_4.5I_4.5 nanowires.     

Enhanced optical limiting properties in suspensions of CdO nanowires

Optical limiting (OL) properties of CdO nanowires in water and ethanol were investigated by using nanosecond laser pulses at 532 nm. Experimental results show that suspension of CdO nanowires in ethanol exhibits better OL property than solution of C₆₀ in toluene and suspension of CdO nanowires in water. The dominant mechanism for the observed enhanced optical limiting in ethanol suspensions of CdO nanowires is due to nonlinear scattering.     

Single-step electrodeposition of polycrystalline CdSe microwire arrays: structural and optical properties

In this work we report on the single-step synthesis of CdSe microwires with good crystalline characteristics by template-assisted electrochemical deposition from an electrolytic solution containing CdSO₄ + SeO₂ and sulfuric acid. Deposition was conducted at three different temperatures (25 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C) under potentiostatic control using a commercial nanoporous alumina membrane as the working electrode. The best results were obtained when the electrodeposition was carried out at E=-0.610 V vs. Ag/AgCl and T=80 °C. Under these experimental conditions, the microwires are uniform, well aligned, have a high packing density, and present a good crystalline character according to XRD analysis. TEM observations revealed that they are dense and continuous, with a mean diameter ranging from 360–380 nm, greater than the channel diameters of the alumina template used. A detailed study of the reflectance in the region close to CdSe bandgap energy allows the determination of a weak direct absorption edge at 1.65 eV, close to the bulk bandgap energy. The Raman spectra consist of a strong mode centered at 208 cm^-1 arising from the LO phonon and a somewhat weak, but still strong, mode arising from the second order LO (2LO) appearing at 415 cm^-1. PACS 78.30.Fs; 78.66.Hf; 82.45.Qr; 81.07.-b     

Optical properties of individual GaAs quantum dots embedded into AlGaAs nanowires

The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of semiconductor structures, namely, Al_0.3Ga_0.7As-based quasi-one-dimensional cylindrical nanowires (nanowhiskers), are measured. The diameter of a typical nanowire is 20–50 nm, and its length was 0.5–1.0 μm. Samples containing one or several GaAs-based quantum dots at the center of the quantum wire are studied. The dot thickness is 2 nm, and the dot diameter is 15–40 nm. Individual nanowhiskers, several nanowhiskers (3–4), and ensembles consisting of many nanowhiskers are studied. The PL spectra are measured for different optical-excitation intensities and in magnetic fields of up to 11 T.     

Low-temperature transport properties of individual SnO2 nanowires

Stannic oxide (SnO₂) nanowires have been prepared by Chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The low-temperature transport properties of a single SnO₂ nanowire have been studied. It is found that the transport of the electrons in the nanowires is dominated by the Efros-Shklovskii variable-range hopping (ES-VRH) process due to the enhanced Coulomb interaction in this semiconducting nanowire. The temperature dependence of the resistance follows the relation lnR∼T^−1/2. On the I-V and dI/dV curves of the nanowire a Coulomb gap-like structure at low temperatures appears.     

Synthesis and optical properties of silicon nanowires grown by different methods

We review our recent results on the growth and characterization of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). Vapour-phase deposition techniques are considered, including chemical vapour deposition (CVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), high-temperature annealing, and thermal evaporation. We present complementary approaches to SiNW production. We investigate the low-temperature (down to 300 °C) selective nucleation of SiNWs by Au-catalysed CVD and PECVD. Bulk production of SiNWs is obtained by thermal-vapour deposition from Si/SiO powders in a high-temperature furnace. In this case, SiNWs grow either by condensing on Au catalyst films, or by self-condensation of the vapour in a lower-temperature region of the furnace. Finally, we also achieve controlled growth by thermolysis of nanopatterned, multi-layered Si/Au thin-film precursors. The as-produced wires are compared in terms of yield, structural quality, and optical properties. Raman and photoluminescence spectra of SiNWs are discussed. PACS 81.15.Gh; 73.21.-b; 73.21.Hb; 71.20.Mq; 78.30.-j     

Polarized SERS study of an individual Ag nanowire with bulb humps

Polarization-dependent surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of an individual Ag nanowire (NW) with bulb humps (including nm-scaled bulb humps on the body part and a bulb NW-tip) was investigated. Strong SERS effect was observed from the bulb NW-tip, which exhibited cos²θ dependence relative to the polarization angle θ of the incident laser. Such dependence is similar to that of the NW-body with bulb humps, but different from that of the other NW-tip with crown shape. Their different polarized SERS behaviors along with the bulb hump effect on SERS were discussed.     

Influence of pH on microstructural and optical properties of electrosynthesized CdSe thin films

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) thin films were electrosynthesized onto well cleaned stainless steel and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass (10-15 Ω/cm²) substrates at different pH of the electrolytic solution. X-ray diffraction study reveals a cubic structure with preferential orientation along the (1 1 1) direction. The structural parameters such as grain size (D), lattice constant (a), strain (ε), dislocation density (δ), average internal stress (S) and degree of preferred orientation (I₁₁₀/I₂₂₀) in the film are calculated and they are found to be dependent on the pH of the depositing bath. EDAX analysis confirms nearly stoichiometric composition of the film deposited at pH 2.70. AFM analysis shows uniform deposition of the film over the entire substrate surface. In optical studies, the transition of the deposited film is found to be a direct allowed transition. The optical energy gaps are found to be in the range from 1.87 to 2.04 eV depending on the pH of the depositing bath. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum shows blue shift in PL peak position and reduction in luminescence intensity for the film deposited at pH other than 2.70.