title: The Interplay of Quantum Confinement and Hydrogenation in Amorphous Silicon Quantum Dots.
abstract: Hydrogenation in amorphous silicon quantum dots (QDs) has a dramatic impact on the corresponding optical properties and band energy structure, leading to a quantum-confined composite material with unique characteristics. The synthesis of a-Si:H QDs is demonstrated with an atmospheric-pressure plasma process, which allows for accurate control of a highly chemically reactive non-equilibrium environment with temperatures well below the crystallization temperature of Si QDs.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology & Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre-NIBEC, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, UK.
authors.forename: Sadegh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Askari
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Photovoltaic Technologies, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology-AIST, Central 2, Umezono 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8568, Japan.
authors.forename: Vladmir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svrcek
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology & Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre-NIBEC, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology & Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre-NIBEC, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, UK.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mariotti
keywords: amorphous silicon; hydrogen alloying; photoluminescence; quantum dots