Experimental proof for nanoparticle origin of photoluminescence in porous silicon layers

A series of nonlinear phenomena in the excitation intensity dependence of photoluminescence (PL) was observed in porous silicon (PS) at room temperature. From a low level of excitation, the blue shift of the PL spectra was detected followed by complete saturation of the integrated PL intensity, without detectable change in the spectral position. This behavior may well be experimental proof of the nonparticle origin of PS light emission.