High-efficiency erbium ion luminescence in silicon nanocrystal systems

The photoluminescence spectra and kinetics of both erbium-doped and undoped multilayer structures of quasi-ordered silicon nanocrystals in a silicon dioxide matrix were studied. It was shown that the optical excitation energy of silicon nanocrystals 2–3 nm in size can be practically completely transferred to Er³⁺ ions in the oxide surrounding the nanocrystals, with its subsequent radiation at 1.5 μm. Possible reasons for the high excitation efficiency of the Er³⁺ ions are discussed, and the conclusion is drawn that the F?rster mechanism is dominant in the energy transfer processes occurring in these structures. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2004, pp. 105–109. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Kashkarov, Kamenev, Lisachenko, Shalygina, Timoshenko, Schmidt, Heitmann, Zacharias.     

“Superslow” processes in the Ge-GeO2 system

A study was made of the charged state on a natural or an oxidized germanium surface during heat-and-field treatment. This study dealt with the kinetics of charging and discharging of superslow surface states. The thermal activation energy of these charging and discharging processes has also been evaluated. Conclusions are drawn about the possible nature of superslow traps in the Ge-GeO₂ system.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No.2, pp.79–86, February, 1976.In conclusion, the authors thank V. F. Kiselev for the useful discussion of this report and his valuable comments.     

Complex Study of the Spearhead Superficial Crust from Burial Mound no. 1 near Novosvobodnaya Village

A complex study of a spearhead dated back to IV mill. BC from burial mound no. 1 near Novosvobodnaya village (collection of the State Historical Museum) and, in particular, the material of spearhead superficial crust has been performed. The elemental and phase composition of the metal of spearhead and the superficial crust on its surface have been determined by scanning electron microscopy, jointly with energydispersive X-ray microanalysis and X-ray phase analysis. A comparative analysis of the results of studying the spearhead superficial crust and similar crusts on other artifacts from the mounds near Novosvobodnaya village suggest natural origin of the crust on copper?arsenic artifacts.

     

Study of the charge distribution of galactic cosmic rays and search for superheavy nuclei traces in olivine crystals from meteorites

The search for and identification of energetic nuclei of superheavy elements of cosmic rays in olivine crystals frommeteorites, currently performedwithin the Olympia project [1], are based on measurements of dynamic and geometrical parameters of tracks, i.e., chemically etchable regions of the traces of slowing down of these nuclei before their stop, using the fully automated PAVIKOM measuring system [2].     

Nanocrystal-size-sensitive third-harmonic generation in nanostructured silicon

Third-harmonic generation (THG) in reflection geometry was studied in nanostructured silicon layers grown by electrochemical porosifying of p-type (110) silicon substrates. An order of magnitude enhancement of the THG efficiency compared to crystalline silicon (c-Si) was observed for the samples prepared on a highly doped substrate, whereas for the samples grown on a low-doped substrate the THG was much less efficient than for c-Si. The finding is discussed in terms of fluctuations of the electric field of the pump-laser irradiation in the layers of anisotropically distributed silicon nanocrystals. Received: 26 July 2002 / Revised version: 9 January 2003 / Published online: 3 April 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +7-95/939-1566, E-mail: leo@vega.phys.msu.su     

EPR diagnostics of the photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen on the surface of silicon nanocrystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to determine the concentration of excited (singlet) molecular oxygen photosensitized by silicon nanocrystals. The generation of singlet oxygen in the porous silicon layers is studied quantitatively at various oxygen pressures and exciting light intensities with the use of the technique proposed. The experimental results indicate that silicon nanoclusters as the photosensitizers of singlet oxygen are promising for biomedical applications.     

Optical properties of porous silicon processed in tetraethyl orthosilicate

We investigate the change in the composition and optical properties of porous silicon (por-Si) obtained by electrochemical etching of a palate made of n-type (111) silicon single crystal under high-temperature annealing and processing in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). It is shown that TEOS processing and annealing prevent contamination of a sample stored for a long time in atmosphere. The processing of por-Si in TEOS does not change the position of the photoluminescence (PL) peak and suppresses PL to a smaller extent as compared to annealing of por-Si. This increases the reliability of optoelectronic devices based on por-Si.     

Ultrashort excitations of surface polaritons and waveguide modes in semiconductors

Polarization-dependent structures have been formed on the silicon surface under the action of femtosecond laser pulses. Some model concepts are proposed to describe changes in the response of the semiconductor surface caused by the generation of a nonequilibrium electron-hole plasma and explain the excitation of surface polaritons and waveguide modes during a femtosecond laser pulse.     

Disorder-correlated enhancement of second-harmonic generation in strongly photonic porous gallium phosphide

We report an order of magnitude enhancement of second-harmonic generation (SHG) from porous gallium phosphide relative to SHG in crystalline gallium phosphide. Optical heterodyning measurements of photon free-path length reveal a correlation between SHG enhancement and disorder of the porous material.