Light emission from electron-injector structures

Surface-plasmon-polariton-mediated luminescence is observed when electrons are injected into thin Al films from the conduction band of SiO2. These electron-injector structures are strikingly similar to light-emitting tunnel junctions, although tunneling can be ruled out as the driving mechanism. The emission arises from the energy relaxation of the steady-state hot-electron distribution which exists in the metal under continuous current injection. The same mechanism must explain much of the luminescence from tunnel junctions. © 1983 The American Physical Society.