Bandgap photoluminescence of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes

We report the observation of photoluminescence across the band gap of semiconducting carbon nanotubes encased in organic micelles at room temperature, for a large set of growth conditions and environment. The key point for observing luminescence is to produce samples where nanotubes are isolated from each other and from the substrate. Moreover, we demonstrate that photoluminescence is a sensitive tool for probing the existence of structural or chemical defects. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.