SYNTHESIS OF LUMINESCENT SILICON CLUSTERS BY SPARK ABLATION

The synthesis of luminescent nanometer-scale Si clusters by spark abla tion from a crystalline Si substrate is described. The cluster source, described in the text, generates clusters in a flowing Ar stream at a tmospheric pressure. Electron microscopy reveals that the clusters hav e diameters in the 2-4 nm size range. The luminescence spectra of the clusters, similar to that of porous Si, are presented.