Electron tunneling in the germanium/silicon heterostructure with germanium quantum dots: theory

It is shown that electron tunneling through a potential barrier that separates two quantum dots of germanium leads to the splitting of electron states localized over spherical interfaces (a quantum dot – a silicon matrix). The dependence of the splitting values of the electron levels on the parameters of the nanosystem (the radius a quantum dot germanium, as well as the distance D between the surfaces of the quantum dots) is obtained. It has been shown that the splitting of electron levels in the QD chain of germanium causes the appearance of a zone of localized electron states, which is located in the bandgap of silicon matrix. It has been found that the motion of a charge-transport exciton along a chain of quantum dots of germanium causes an increase in photoconductivity in the nanosystem. It is shown that in the QD chain of germanium a zone of localized electron states arises, which is located in the bandgap of the silicon matrix. Such a zone of local electron states is caused by the splitting of electron levels in the QD chain of germanium. Moreover, the motion of an electron in the zone of localized electron states causes an increase in photoconductivity in the nanosystem. The effect of increasing photoconductivity can make a significant contribution in the process of converting the energy of the optical range in photosynthesizing nanosystems. It has been found that comparison of the splitting dependence of the exciton level Eех(а) at a certain radius a QD with the experimental value of the width of the zone of localized electron states arising in the QD chain of germanium, allows us to obtain the distances D between the QD surfaces. It has been shown that by changing the parameters of Ge/Si heterostructures with germanium QDs (radius of a germanium QD, as well as the distance D between the surfaces of the QDs), it is possible to vary the positions and widths of the zones of localized electronic states. The latter circumstance opens up new possibilities in the use of such nanoheterostructures as new structural materials for the creation of new nano-optoelectronics and nano-photosynthesizing devices of the infrared range.

Synthesis, Surface Modification and Purification of Silicon and Germanium Quantum Dots for Biological Applications

<p>Quantum dots have applications in biomedical fields such as bio-imaging and drug delivery systems. This thesis describes research on silicon and germanium nanoparticles (quantum dots) synthesis and surface modification for biological applications. Purification methods of these quantum dots were also explored. In chapter 6 the application of silica nanoparticles into dry eye diagnosis was studied. The purpose of this research is to contribute the application of nanotechnology into biological fields. The crystalinity of the quantum dots was characterised by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction analysis (SAED). The molecules on the surface of the quantum dots were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Silicon quantum dots were synthesised with a microemulsion system and various types of molecules were attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. However, some of the capping molecules which have oxygen atoms tend to form bonds between oxygen and silicon. Therefore, in the later chapter (chapter 4) various chemical reactions were conducted on the molecules attached to the silicon quantum dots. The silicon quantum dots were capped with diene molecules and one of the double bonds was left on the terminal end. The terminal end double bonds were converted to the functional groups which contain oxygen atoms to form peptide bonds. In this way it was confirmed that it can reduce the risk of oxygen atoms to be attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. The molecules on the surface of the silicon quantum dots were characterised mainly by FTIR and ¹H NMR. Optical properties and cyto-toxicity of these silicon quantum dots were also measured and analysed depending on the surface molecules. Two synthetic approaches were taken to produce germanium quantum dots. The first approach was the microemulsion system at room temperature. Different combinations of the surfactant and capping molecules were tested. For the second approach, high temperature bench top system was applied. In this method the bio-friendly molecules which have high boiling points were chosen as capping agents. The surface molecules were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy. In chapter 6 the synthesis of dye molecules conjugated silica nanoparticles was described. The purpose of this research is to produce biologically safe nanoparticles which can be applied in dry eye diagnosis. Three different dyes were used to conjugate with the silica nanoparticles. Only fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) succeeded in conjugating with the nanoparticles. Optical properties of this sample were measured and compared with the free dye molecule. Also the sample was applied in human eyes to analyse the tear film layer. An overall conclusion and future plans for the research were given in the last chapter.In this chapter, ideas of overcoming the problems and improving the techniques conducted in the research were described.</p>

Synthesis, Surface Modification and Purification of Silicon and Germanium Quantum Dots for Biological Applications

<p>Quantum dots have applications in biomedical fields such as bio-imaging and drug delivery systems. This thesis describes research on silicon and germanium nanoparticles (quantum dots) synthesis and surface modification for biological applications. Purification methods of these quantum dots were also explored. In chapter 6 the application of silica nanoparticles into dry eye diagnosis was studied. The purpose of this research is to contribute the application of nanotechnology into biological fields. The crystalinity of the quantum dots was characterised by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction analysis (SAED). The molecules on the surface of the quantum dots were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Silicon quantum dots were synthesised with a microemulsion system and various types of molecules were attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. However, some of the capping molecules which have oxygen atoms tend to form bonds between oxygen and silicon. Therefore, in the later chapter (chapter 4) various chemical reactions were conducted on the molecules attached to the silicon quantum dots. The silicon quantum dots were capped with diene molecules and one of the double bonds was left on the terminal end. The terminal end double bonds were converted to the functional groups which contain oxygen atoms to form peptide bonds. In this way it was confirmed that it can reduce the risk of oxygen atoms to be attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. The molecules on the surface of the silicon quantum dots were characterised mainly by FTIR and ¹H NMR. Optical properties and cyto-toxicity of these silicon quantum dots were also measured and analysed depending on the surface molecules. Two synthetic approaches were taken to produce germanium quantum dots. The first approach was the microemulsion system at room temperature. Different combinations of the surfactant and capping molecules were tested. For the second approach, high temperature bench top system was applied. In this method the bio-friendly molecules which have high boiling points were chosen as capping agents. The surface molecules were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy. In chapter 6 the synthesis of dye molecules conjugated silica nanoparticles was described. The purpose of this research is to produce biologically safe nanoparticles which can be applied in dry eye diagnosis. Three different dyes were used to conjugate with the silica nanoparticles. Only fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) succeeded in conjugating with the nanoparticles. Optical properties of this sample were measured and compared with the free dye molecule. Also the sample was applied in human eyes to analyse the tear film layer. An overall conclusion and future plans for the research were given in the last chapter.In this chapter, ideas of overcoming the problems and improving the techniques conducted in the research were described.</p>

Intensity of Radiative Recombination in the Germanium/Silicon Nanosystem with Germanium Quantum Dots

It is shown that in a germanium/silicon nanosystem with germanium quantum dots, the hole leaving the germanium quantum dot causes the appearance of the hole energy level in the bandgap energy in a silicon matrix. The dependences of the energies of the ground state of a hole and an electron are obtained as well as spatially indirect excitons on the radius of the germanium quantum dot and on the depth of the potential well for holes in the germanium quantum dot. It is found that as a result of a direct electron transition in real space between the electron level that is located in the conduction band of the silicon matrix and the hole level located in the bandgap of the silicon matrix, the radiative recombination intensity in the germanium/silicon nanosystem with germanium quantum dots increases significantly.