Black Silicon Germanium (SiGe) for Extended Wavelength Near Infrared Electro-optical Applications
Abstract
We have investigated for the first time the reflectivity and absorbance of black silicon-germanium (Si1-xGex). Black Si1-xGex was produced by metal enhanced chemical etching using nanometer-scale gold particles as catalyst and HF:H2O2:CH3COOH etchant. The etched surface was black, textured, and showed strong suppression of reflectivity and enhancement of absorption in the near-infrared region. These properties are consistent with Si1-xGex becoming highly micro-structured due to metal catalysis and wet etching. The lowering of reflection and enhancement of absorption in Si1-xGex is an important milestone towards practical, extended wavelength (~2 micrometers) electro-optical applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA522107
Entities
People
- Fred Semendy
- Gregory Meissner
- Patrick Taylor
- Priyalal Wijewarnasuriya
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory