Observation of Zeeman effect in photoluminescence of Er3+ ion imbedded in crystalline silicon

A successful observation of Zeeman effect on Er3+-related photoluminescence in silicon is reported. In a sublimation MBE-grown Si/Si : Er superlattice, a clearly resolved splitting of major spectral components was observed in magnetic fields up to 5.5T. The Zeeman effect was also investigated for the "hot line" appearing in the spectrum upon temperature increase. Based on the preliminary analysis of the data, the symmetry of the center responsible for the dominant emission line is identified as orthorhombic C-2v. Other spectral components originate from at least two more optically active, Er-related centers simultaneously present in the same sample. One of them most probably has cubic T-d symmetry. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.