Enhanced Crystallization and Sensitization of Si Nanocrystals in Al2O3:Er/Si:Er

Enhanced crystallization of Si nanocrystals (Si NCs) has been achieved in an Al2O3:Er/Si:Er multilayer structure, which is fabricated by pulsed laser deposition and subsequent rapid thermal annealing. The Er atoms introduce strains in the initial amorphous Si layers and serve as nucleation centers t