Energy transfer between amorphous Si nanoclusters and Er3+ ions in a SiO2 matrix

D. Navarro-Urrios (1) , A. Pitanti (1) , N. Daldosso (1) , Fabrice Gourbilleau (2) , Richard Rizk (2) , B. Garrido (3) , L. Pavesi (1)

1 Laboratorio di Nanoscienze
2 CIMAP - UMR 6252 - Centre de recherche sur les Ions, les MAtériaux et la Photonique
3 LENS, MIND-IN2UB - Micronanotecnologies i nanoscòpies per dispositius electrònics i fotònics [Spain]

We report on the energy-transfer mechanism between amorphous Si nanoclusters and erbium ions in a SiO2 matrix. We have studied a set of optimized samples which show maximum Er3+ to Si-nc coupling ratio. We demonstrate that the transfer mainly occurs to the 4I112 level in less than 100 ns and that higher Er3+ energetic levels are not involved. Furthermore, we show that there are no traces of Auger back-transfer, excited state absorption, or pair-induced quenching mechanisms in our samples, leading us to propose a model in which the short interaction distance between Si-nc and Er3+ ions is the limiting factor for the noncomplete excitation of the whole Er3+ active population.

Domains: Physics [physics]; Physics [physics]; Optics [physics.optics]

D. Navarro-Urrios, A. Pitanti, N. Daldosso, Fabrice Gourbilleau, Richard Rizk, et al.. Energy transfer between amorphous Si nanoclusters and Er3+ ions in a SiO2 matrix. Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (1998-2015), 2009, 79, pp.193312. ⟨cea-00407922⟩