Cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence of swift ion irradiation modified zinc oxide-porous silicon nanocomposite

We report the room temperature cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence of swift ion irradiated (130 MeV Nickel ion) porous silicon zinc oxide nanocomposites. The evolution of a broad and flat emission band from 1.5 to 3.5 eV is demonstrated. Annealing effect of irradiation is found to result in a relative increase in the band edge emission. Emission wavelength can be tuned in the complete visible range by changing the substrate characteristics.