Abstract
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The size-dependence of the absolute luminescence quantum yield of size-separated silicon nanocrystals reveals a “volcano” behavior, which switches on around 5 nm, peaks at near 3.7–3.9 nm, and decreases thereafter. These three regions respectively define: i) the transition from bulk to strongly quantum confined emissive silicon, ii) increasing confinement enhancing radiative recombination, and iii) increasing contributions favoring non-radiative recombination.