Papers by Author: Victor Timoshenko

Abstract: Powders of tin dioxide (SnO2) have been prepared by two different modifications of wet chemical synthesis, i.e. (i) by conventional hydrolysis of tin chloride dissolved in aqueous ammonia solution and (ii) by precipitation from tin chloride dissolved in aqueous hydrazine monohydrate (N2H4*H2O) solution. The prepared gels were dried and then annealed at different temperatures varied from 300 to 700 oC in order to form nanocrystals. Structure and optical properties of the samples were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermoprogrammable hydrogen reduction, low temperature nitrogen adsorption method, photoluminescence, infra-red absorption, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The samples prepared by hydrazine-based method are characterized by surface area about 127-188 m2/g with high sintering resistance. The optical spectroscopy data revealed pure crystallinity and high defect concentration for the samples prepared by hydrazine-based method. The experimental results are discussed in view of different states of chemisorbed oxygen on SnO2 nanocrystal surfaces, which determine electronic and optical properties of the prepared samples.

Abstract: Wafers of silicon and compound semiconductors are nanostructured by using electrochemical or chemical etching (stain etching) in etching cell with electrolyte kept by capillary forces. Atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and Raman scattering methods reveale nanoporous and nanocrystalline structure of the treated surfaces. The formed porous semiconductors demonstrate efficient photoluminescence, which is controlled by etching parameters, i.e. current density, electrolyte content, etc. These results indicate good prospects of the employed capillary-cell method for preparing nanostructured porous materials with desired structure and optical properties.

Abstract: We report on the experimental and theoretical studies of population/depopulation dynamics of excitons in the structures with Si nanocrystals in SiO2 matrix (nc-Si/SiO2) under strong optical excitation. The experimental results are explained using a phenomenological model based on rate equations for coupled system of energy donors (excitons) and energy acceptors (erbium ions). Exciton luminescence is found to exhibit superlinear dependence for Er-doped samples. At the same time the Er-related luminescence at 1.5 μm shows a saturation of the intensity and shortening of the lifetime, which are attributed to the population inversion of the Er ions states. The obtained results demonstrate that nc-Si/SiO2:Er systems can be used for applications in Si-based optical amplifiers and lasers, compatible with planar Si-technology.