Photonic Silicon Device Physics

This program investigated the fundamental mechanisms involved in light emitting silicon structures, fabricated silicon based photonic devices, and examined the electrical device properties. The approach evolved into the study of three distinct areas of interest: porous silicon layers, silicon microplasmas, and silicon nanostructures. These three areas are related by the need for understanding materials properties on the nanometer size scale and the need for applying microelectronic device fabrication techniques to aid in elucidating the emission mechanisms and to ultimately transition such knowledge into practical electronic devices. The following paragraphs summarize the work completed to date in each of these areas. Original contains color plates: All DTIC and NTIS reproductions will be in black and white.