  Detection of UV photons is becoming increasingly necessary with the use of
noble gases and liquids in elementary particle experiments. Cerenkov light in
crystals and glasses, scintillation light in neutrino, dark matter, and rare
decay experiments all require sensitivity to UV photons. New sensor materials
are needed that can directly detect UV photons and/or absorb UV photons and
re-emit light in the visible range measurable by existing photosensors. It has
been shown that silicon nanoparticles are sensitive to UV light in a wavelength
range around ~200 nm. UV light is absorbed and re-emitted at wavelengths in the
visible range depending on the size of the nanoparticles. Initial tests of the
wavelength-shifting properties of silicon nanoparticles are presented here that
indicate by placing a film of nanoparticles in front of a standard
visible-wavelength detecting photosensor, the response of the sensor is
significantly enhanced at wavelengths < 320 nm.
