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A characteristic photoluminescence of a superficial Si nanolayer realized by ion implantation has been observed. This effect, being totally independent of those shown recently for a nanoscale Si-layered system, is similar to that produced by Si nanocrystals (Si nc). To visualize the nature and give evidence of this effect, we fabricated samples in two different ways: (i) by incorporation of Si nc into thin SiO[SUB2] films deposited on Si wafer by the spin-on-glass method and (ii) by a nanoscale superficial crystalline-Si modification using medium-energy ion implantation and thermal treatment. In both cases the UV-to-red light conversion has been observed to be independent of wafer post-implantation damage. To show the UV-to-red conversion contribution, we use the ion modified superficial Si layer with its well-defined potential barrier, the so-called carrier collection limit. Such a modified Si structure gives us a method of deconvoluting several optoelectronic features observed experimentally on modified Si. The practical realization is compatible with well-established Si technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]