Photoluminescence of nanocrystals embedded in oxide matrices

TL;DR

This paper models the photoluminescence spectra of nanocrystals in oxide matrices using finite periodic systems theory, successfully reproducing experimental spectral features based on nanocrystal size and arrangement.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model based on finite periodic systems to explain photoluminescence spectra dependence on nanocrystal size and configuration.

Findings

Model accurately reproduces spectral shape and displacement.

Photoluminescence mainly influenced by isolated nanocrystals.

Sequence of nanocrystals affects spectral response.

Abstract

We used the theory of finite periodic systems to explain the photoluminescence spectra dependence on the average diameter of nanocrystals embedded in oxide matrices. Because of the broad matrix band gap, the photoluminescence response is basically determined by isolated nanocrystals and sequences of a few of them. With this model we were able to reproduce the shape and displacement of the experimentally observed photoluminescence spectra.