Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of SiC Quantum Dots

Abstract

We Perform Density Functional Theory Calculations of the Hydrogen-Passivated Topological Silicon Carbide Quantum Dots (QDs) and Investigate their Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties. We Study Clusters Constructed from 3C-Sic with up to 8 Topological Shells, Corresponding to Diameters up to 2.2 Nm, Terminated Homogeneously with either Si-H or C-H Bonds. All Qds Exhibit Tensile Strain (1-5 %) within the Cluster Core. the Larger the Cluster, the Smaller the Strain in the Interior, however. Tensile Strain Increases from the inside of the Cluster towards the outside, Reaches a Maximum at the Second Layer below the Surface, and Vanishes only for Bonds Involving Surface Si or C Atoms. Quantum-Confinement Effects Are Observed for the Energy Gaps and Optical Gaps of SiC QDs. Size Has a Major Impact on the Absorption Edge in Comparison to a Weak Effect on the Photon Energy of the Spectra Maxima. Our Calculations Show that Surface Termination Plays a Crucial Role and Strongly Affects Energy Gaps, Optical Gaps and Optical Spectra. Orbitals around the HOMO-LUMO Gap Predominantly Localize within the Core of the Cluster, with Significant Contributions by the Surface for Si-H Terminated Clusters only.