For nanoporous silicon treated with nitric acid, a remarkable photolum
inescence enhancement effect is observed. The enhancement is controlle
d by irradiation with visible light. Photoluminescence. infrared spect
roscopy and electron spin resonance are used to compare tile material,
modified by nitric acid with as-prepared porous silicon and oxidized
by irradiation in air. Characteristic changes in the infrared spectrum
during the enhancement indicate that an unidentified hydrogen source,
activated by light, could terminate the surface dangling bond centres
formed by the HNO3 oxidation process.