DOES THE BLUE VIOLET PHOTOLUMINESCENCE OF SPARK-PROCESSED SILICON ORIGINATE FROM HYDROXYL-GROUPS/

Photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform infrared studies on annea led, spark-processed silicon have been performed. It was found that he at treatments at 600 degrees C and higher temperatures substantially r educe the presence of hydroxyl groups as expected. Nevertheless, the P L of spark-processed Si remains intensive after heat treatments up to at least 900 degrees C. It is therefore concluded that hydroxyl groups (silanol) are not the major cause for PL in spark-processed Si.