Formation and Properties of Silicon/Silicide/Oxide Nanochains

Silicon/silicide/oxide nanochains, which have an alternate arrangement of silicon/copper silicide composite nanoparticles and oxide nanowires, were fabricated using silicon/oxide nanochains as templates. Photoluminescence was observed at room temperature and considered to be due to recombination of excitons in oxide. Electrostatic potential in the material was also investigated by electron holography. No visible potential bending at the silicon/silicide interface was detected.