In the era of vigorous development of optoelectronic technology, silicon-based luminescent materials, with their unique optical properties and integration potential, have become the "molecular-level lighthouse" that illuminates future technologies. These materials, with silicon-oxygen bonds as the skeleton and embedded with luminescent active groups, possess excellent electrical properties and an adjustable luminescent spectrum. They demonstrate revolutionary potential in fields such as display panels, optical communication, and biological imaging, redefining the generation and application mode of light with "molecular-level wisdom".

I. Luminescence Mechanism: The "Photoexcitation Code" of Silicon-Oxygen Bonds

The luminescent properties of silicon-based luminescent materials originate from the exquisite coupling between their molecular structure and the photoexcitation process:

Quantum Confinement Effect

By using nanoengineering to reduce the size of silicon materials to the quantum confinement scale (<10 nm), the recombination probability of electron-hole pairs is significantly increased, breaking through the bottleneck of the low intrinsic luminescence efficiency of silicon materials. For example, silicon quantum dots exhibit tunable luminescent properties in the blue to near-infrared band, and the quantum yield can reach 50%.

Luminescence Regulation of Defect States

Using defect states such as oxygen vacancies and silicon dangling bonds in silicon materials as luminescent centers. By precisely controlling the defect density and distribution, luminescence at specific wavelengths can be achieved. For instance, after hydrogen annealing treatment of silicon-based porous materials, strong luminescence is generated in the visible light region, providing possibilities for low-cost luminescent devices.

Heterojunction Energy Conversion

Compound silicon with group III-V semiconductors (such as GaN, InP) or organic luminescent molecules to construct heterojunction structures. Electron-hole pairs are efficiently recombined at the interface, producing high-brightness luminescence. This design enables silicon-based materials to break through the limitation of the intrinsic bandgap and achieve full spectral coverage.

II. Application Fields: Multidimensional Optical Technology Innovation

The "Pixel Revolution" in Display Technology

In the field of Micro-LED displays, silicon-based luminescent materials enable the efficient preparation of tiny-sized pixels. The silicon-based Micro-LED array developed by Samsung has a pixel size of 10 μm and a brightness exceeding 100,000 nits, providing core support for 8K ultra-high-definition displays. At the same time, flexible silicon-based OLED technology makes foldable screens a reality. The silicon-based flexible substrate used in Huawei's Mate X series of mobile phones has a bending life of more than 200,000 times.

The "High-speed Channel" in Optical Communication

In fiber optic communication, silicon-based light-emitting devices drive data transmission into the high-speed era. Intel's silicon-based photonic chip integrates light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and modulators, achieving ultra-high-speed signal transmission of 400 Gbps and reducing power consumption by 30%. Silicon-based optical modules have been widely used in 5G base stations and data centers, supporting the real-time transmission of massive data.

The "Optical Probe" in Biomedicine

In the field of biological imaging, silicon-based quantum dots exhibit unique advantages as fluorescent probes. Their narrow-band luminescence and anti-photobleaching properties make it possible to dynamically observe living cells for a long time. For example, Stanford University uses silicon quantum dots to label nerve cells, achieving three-dimensional fluorescence imaging of the brain's neural network with a resolution of 50 nm.

The "Green Light Source" in Smart Lighting

In LED lighting, silicon-based phosphors achieve a high color rendering index through spectral regulation. The silicon-based oxynitride phosphor developed by OSRAM enables the color rendering index (CRI) of LED lamps to reach 98, approaching the effect of natural light, and is widely used in scenarios with extremely high requirements for light quality, such as museums and operating rooms.

III. Technological Innovation: From Basic Luminescence to Intelligent Light Control

With the progress of materials science and nanotechnology, the research and development of silicon-based luminescent materials are developing towards intelligence and integration:

Breakthrough in Electroluminescence Efficiency: Through surface passivation and interface engineering, the external quantum efficiency of silicon-based LEDs is increased to 25%, approaching the level of traditional group III-V semiconductors.

Light-Responsive Smart Materials: Integrate temperature-sensitive and light-sensitive molecules into silicon-based materials to develop smart window films with adjustable light color. For example, the silicon-based electrochromic glass developed by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany can automatically adjust the light transmittance and color according to the light intensity.

3D Printing of Luminescent Structures: Use direct writing forming technology to prepare complex silicon-based luminescent microstructures for the construction of micro-nano optical devices and optical neural networks.

IV. Future Trends: The Silicon-based Era of Optoelectronic Technology

Quantum Light Sources and Quantum Communication

The breakthrough of silicon-based single-photon sources will promote the practical application of quantum key distribution technology. The silicon-based quantum dot single-photon source developed by the University of Science and Technology of China has an entanglement fidelity of 92%, laying the foundation for the construction of a global quantum communication network.

Optical Signal Transmission in Brain-Computer Interfaces

The combination of silicon-based luminescent probes and flexible optical electrodes enables non-invasive optical reading of brain nerve signals. The silicon-based optogenetic chip developed by MIT can precisely regulate the activities of neurons through light stimulation, contributing to the treatment of neurological diseases.

Space Optical Energy Transmission

In the field of space solar power stations, silicon-based high-efficiency light-emitting devices convert solar energy into laser beams and transmit them to ground receivers. Japan's JAXA's planned "Sunlight Power Satellite" project uses silicon-based laser transmitters to achieve megawatt-level wireless energy transmission.

Conclusion: The Century-long Appointment between Photons and Silicon

The story of silicon-based luminescent materials is a magnificent transformation of organosilicon materials from the "main character in electronics" to the "pioneer in photonics". With its exquisite molecular-level design, it perfectly integrates the integration advantages and luminescent properties of silicon materials, becoming the core driving force in the optoelectronic era. In the future, with continuous technological breakthroughs, silicon-based luminescent materials will shine in more fields, becoming the "molecular-level lighthouse" connecting micro-photonics and macro-scientific and technological civilization, and continuing to write the legendary chapter of "small materials, great optoelectronics".


Medium and high voltage insulation silicone rubber