SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF ELECTRONIC CONDUCTION IN SiO//2 AND Si-RICH SiO//2.

Abstract

An investigation of the weak electroluminescence from electron injector structures has yielded new insight into the conduction process in SiO//2 and Si-rich SiO//2. Crucial to our results is the observation of surface plasmon polariton mediated luminescence from the thin metal electrodes of the devices. Spectroscopic evidence for strong electric field heating of conduction band electrons in SiO//2 is presented. In addition, conduction in Si-rich SiO//2 is shown to be primarily by tunneling between the Si islands which exist in this two phase material.