Erbium (III) tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (ErQ): A potential material for silicon compatible 1.5 μm emitters

Samples of erbium (III) tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (ErQ) have been prepared and their photoluminescence measured. Clearly resolved peaks due to intra-atomic transitions between the 4I13/2 and 4I15/2 levels can be observed at room temperature. The possibility of depositing ErQ on to silicon to produce organic electroluminescent diodes offers the possibility of a cheap 1.5 μm emitter based on silicon technology.