Theory of Si nanocrystals
Résumé
The intense luminescence observed for porous silicon [1] has raised extremely interesting problems related to the possibility of using silicon in optoelectronics. One likely explanation is quantum confinement, induced by the formation of nanocrystallites. However, the experimental data reveal a complex situation characteristic of several radiative as well as non radiative channels. Our main aim in this chapter will thus be to review the relevant theoretical information concerning the optical properties of Si nanocrystals in order to identify these channels.