Diameter and polarization-dependent Raman scattering intensities of semiconductor nanowires.

Diameter-dependent Raman scattering in single tapered silicon nanowires is measured and quantitatively reproduced by modeling with finite-difference time-domain simulations. Single crystal tapered silicon nanowires were produced by homoepitaxial radial growth concurrent with vapor-liquid-solid axial growth. Multiple electromagnetic resonances along the nanowire induce broad band light absorption and scattering. Observed Raman scattering intensities for multiple polarization configurations are reproduced by a model that accounts for the internal electromagnetic mode structure of both the exciting and scattered light. Consequences for the application of Stokes to anti-Stokes intensity ratio for the estimation of lattice temperature are discussed.