Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
We have investigated optical properties of straight silicon nanowires by means of in-situ cathodoluminescence spectroscopy in a transmission electron microscope. The nanowires, grown on a Si{111} surface via vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism, have no structural defects such as kink, and the diameter and growth direction are controlled by varying the growth conditions. We have found that the nanowires emit intense light. These lines have not been observed in other kinds of Si nanostructures such as porous Si.