Commercial applications of porous Si: optical filters and components

It is shown that porous Silicon in various geometries and morphologies can be used for novel optical elements by combining theoretical insights with suitable porous structures and some pre- and post-processing of the Silicon. The paper restricts itself to light propagation in the pore direction. Theoretical and experimental results will be presented for the following novel optical elements: environmentally stable optical components from mesoporous Silicon, long wave pass filters, macroporous Silicon UV Filters, and polarization components for the UV range. Either new components are presented, mostly with first experimental results, or the state-of-the art for previously discussed elements is considerably improved upon. (c) 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.