InN/In nanocomposites: Plasmonic effects and a hidden optical gap

TL;DR

This paper investigates InN/In nanocomposites, revealing plasmonic effects that influence optical properties, including a hidden optical gap and plasmon-dominated emission linked to In clusters and electromagnetic enhancement.

Contribution

It uncovers the plasmonic origin of emission and absorption features in InN/In nanocomposites, highlighting the role of In clusters and electromagnetic effects in their optical behavior.

Findings

Bright emission near 0.7 eV linked to In clusters

Absorption edge higher than thermally detected absorption

Plasmon-dominated emission and absorption mechanisms

Abstract

InN/In nanocomposites with periodical In inclusions amounting up to 30% of the total volume exhibit bright emission near 0.7 eV explicitly associated with In clusters. Its energy and intensity depend on the In amount. The principal absorption edge in the semiconductor host, as given by a photovoltaic response, is markedly higher than the onset of thermally detected absorption. These findings, being strongly suggestive of plasmon-dominated emission and absorption, are discussed in terms of electromagnetic enhancement taking into account the In parallel-band transitions.