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Porous Silicon and the Search for a Silicon-Based LED

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G. L. Richmond and Peter C. Sercel

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403

Ron Swisher

Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR 97601

J. Chem. Educ., 1996, 73 (8), p 738

DOI: 10.1021/ed073p738

Publication Date (Web): August 1, 1996

Abstract

Silicon has not been used in LED fabrication because of its very low luminescence efficiency. There has been a great deal of interest in porous silicon, a form of silicon which luminesces at about 680 nm. The origin of this luminescence is controversial and several theories involving surface compounds and quantum confinement models have been developed to explain it. Porous silicon is easily made and its photo- and electroluminescence are easily demonstrated in the classroom. It provides an easily demonstrated example of key concepts in semiconductor chemistry.