Single step electrodeposition process using ionic liquid to grow highly luminescent silicon/rare earth (Er, Tb) thin films with tunable composition

A one-step method for the electrodeposition of silicon–erbium (Si/Er) and silicon–terbium (Si/Tb) thin films using room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) has been successfully developed. By playing with the electrochemical parameters, the concentration of incorporated rare earth (RE) ions (Er(3+) and Tb(3+)) in the thin films can be tuned. The obtained thin films have been characterized by electron microscopy and composition analysis techniques. The structural quality of the obtained thin films is characterized by a uniform distribution of Si atoms and RE ions throughout the thickness. The study of the optical properties, carried out by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, demonstrates the efficient optical activity of the films with typical Er and Tb luminescence at room temperature depending on the RE content. The deposition method described is a promising strategy for incorporating RE ions in semiconducting thin films to achieve materials for opto-electronic applications.