Microscopic structure of Er-related optically active centers in crystalline silicon.

A successful observation and analysis of the Zeeman effect on the lambda approximately 1.54 microm photoluminescence band in Er-doped crystalline MBE-grown silicon are presented. The symmetry of the dominant optically active centers is conclusively established as orthorhombic I(C(2v)) with g axially approximately 18.39 and g radially approximately 0. In this way the long standing puzzle as regards the paramagnetism of optically active Er-related centers in silicon is settled. Preferential generation of a single type of an optically active Er-related center confirmed in this study is essential for photonic applications of Si:Er.