Strong violet luminescence from ZnO nanocrystals grown by the low-temperature chemical solution deposition

The luminescence properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals grown from solution are reported. The ZnO nanocrystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cathodo- and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The ZnO nanocrystals have the same regular cone form with the average sizes of 100-500 nm. Apart from the near-band-edge emission around 381 nm and a weak yellow-orange band around 560-580 nm at 300 K, the PL spectra of the as-prepared ZnO nanocrystals under high-power laser excitation also showed a strong defect-induced violet emission peak in the range of 400 nm. The violet band intensity exhibits superlinear excitation power dependence while the UV emission intensity is saturated at high excitation laser power. With temperature raising the violet peak redshifts and its intensity increases displaying unconventional negative thermal quenching behavior, whereas intensity of the UV and yellow-orange bands decreases. The origin of the observed emission bands is discussed.     

硫酸根离子对草酸-硫酸混合酸中制备的多孔阳极氧化铝光致发光特性的影响

采用电化学阳极氧化法,分别在草酸、硫酸及两者不同浓度比的混合酸中制备了AAO薄膜样品,并分别观察了在250,296 nm光激发下的光致发光(PL)特性。结果表明:草酸和混合酸中制备的AAO薄膜,在250~550 nm范围内的光致发光与不同存在或分布形式的草酸杂质形成的发光中心相关。硫酸根离子对混合酸中制备的AAO薄膜的PL特性有很大影响,随硫酸根离子浓度的增加发光峰位逐渐蓝移。分析了出现上述实验现象的原因。     

Photoluminescence of SrGa2S4:Sn,Re(=Ce, Gd) phosphors

The photoluminescence (PL) spectra, PL excitation spectra, color coordinates, and X-ray diffraction spectra are reported for SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Re(=Ce and Gd, respectively) phosphors. By mixing SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Ce phosphors with different Ce³⁺ concentrations, white emissions can be obtained under the excitation of a 340-nm UV LED. Emissions in the green to yellow color range can be obtained from SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Gd phosphors. The rare earth ions enhance the green emission band, which peaks at 534 nm, instead of the yellow one. The origin of this enhancement is discussed. The resonant energy transfer rates are estimated in the cases from Ce³⁺ to the green and yellow centers of Sn²⁺ and between the yellow centers and the green centers.     

Excitation pathways and efficiency of Eu ions in GaN by site-selective spectroscopy

Using combined excitation emission spectroscopy, we performed a comparative study of europium ions in GaN in samples that have been in situ doped during interrupted growth epitaxy (IGE) or conventional molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) as well as samples that were grown using organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) and subsequently ion implanted with Eu ions. Through site-selective resonant excitation, we are able to unambiguously assign all major observed transitions to a combination of different incorporation sites and electron–phonon coupled transitions. We identified at least nine different incorporation sites of Eu ions in GaN and studied how these sites behave under different excitation conditions and how their relative number is modified by different growth and doping conditions. The coupling to phonons has also been studied for a series of Al _x Ga_1−x N samples with x=0…1. We find that a main site most resembling an unperturbed Eu ion on Ga site is always dominant, while the minority sites are changing substantially in relative numbers and can occur in some samples fairly close in emission intensity to the main site. In terms of the excitation pathway after the creation of electron-hole pairs, we found three types of centers: (1) sites that are dominantly excited through shallow defect traps; (2) sites that are excited through a deep defect trap; (3) sites that cannot be excited at all including the majority of the main sites. We interpret this finding to indicate that the ion in this environment is not very efficient in trapping excitation and that the indirect excitation involving other traps depends on the ion/trap distance. Many of the main sites are far away from these traps and cannot be excited through this channel at all. The efficiency of excitation is highest for the deep traps, indicating that it would be desirable to enrich the respective site, as has been done with some success in the IGE grown samples.     

GaNAs/GaAs量子阱的激子局域化以及退局域化

我们利用光荧光(PL)以及时间分辨光谱(TRPL)研究了用MBE生长在GaAs衬底上的GaNAs/GaAs量子阱的激子局域化以及退局域化。研究发现,在低温下用连续光(CW)激发,由于GaNAs中势振荡所产生的局域激子发光是所测量到光谱的主要发光来源。然而在脉冲激发下,情况完全不同。在高载流子密度激发或者高温下GaNAs/GaAs量子阱中例外,一个高能端的PL峰成为了主要的发光来源。通过研究,我们将这个新的发光峰指认为量子阱中非局域激子复合的PL峰。这个发光峰在温度和激发强度的变化过程中与局域激子相互竞争。我们相信这一过程也是许多文献所报道的在InGaN和AlGaN等氮化物中经常观测到的发光峰位随温度“S”形变化的主要根源。     

GaNAs/GaAs量子阱的激子局域化以及退局域化

我们利用光荧光(PL)以及时间分辨光谱(TRPL)研究了用MBE生长在GaAs衬底上的GaNAs/GaAs量子阱的激子局域化以及退局域化.研究发现,在低温下用连续光(Cw)激发,由于GaNAs中势振荡所产生的局域激子发光是所测量到光谱的主要发光来源.然而在脉冲激发下,情况完全不同.在高载流子密度激发或者高温下GaNAs/GaAs量子阱中例外,一个高能端的PL峰成为了主要的发光来源.通过研究,我们将这个新的发光峰指认为量子阱中非局域激子复合的PL峰.这个发光峰在温度和激发强度的变化过程中与局域激子相互竞争.我们相信这一过程也是许多文献所报道的在InGaN和AlGaN等氮化物中经常观测到的发光峰位随温度"S"形变化的主要根源.     

Blue–violet photoluminescence from colloidal suspension of nanocrystalline silicon in silicon oxide matrix

We report room temperature visible photoluminescence (PL), detectable by the unaided eye, from colloidal suspension of silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si) prepared by mechanical milling followed by chemical oxidation. The PL bands for samples prepared from Si wafer and Si powder peak at 3.11 and 2.93 eV respectively, under UV excitation, and exhibit a very fast (～ns) PL decay. Invasive oxidation during chemical treatment reduces the size of the nc-Si domains distributed within the amorphous SiO₂ matrix. It is proposed that defects at the interface between nc-Si and amorphous SiO₂ act as the potential emission centers. The origin of blue–violet PL is discussed in relation to the oxide related surface states, non-stoichiometric suboxides, surface species and other defect related states.     

紫外激发下锰掺杂纳米氧化锌

应用气相传输法, 以铜为催化剂, 在硅衬底上制备了锰掺杂氧化锌纳米四足晶须. 利用x射线与电子衍射谱、扫瞄电镜和高分辨率透射电镜, 对样品形貌、结构和成份进行表征与检测; 通过355nm与375nm紫外光激发下掺杂与未掺杂样品光致发光谱的对比, 结合拉曼散射谱与光致激发谱对掺杂样品中反常光致发光机理进行分析. 结果表明, 样品沿［0001］方向生长的前端和内部长有纤细刺状结构的中空六方管组成; 样品中掺入Mn2+的无辐射复合中心作用, 是掺杂样品紫外辐射强度和谱宽变小的主要原因, 氧化锌晶体中晶格周期对Mn2+中d-d电子跃迁过程的影响, 是375nm紫外光激发下掺杂样品中415nm辐射峰产生的主要原因.     

Photoluminescence properties of various CVD-grown ZnO nanostructures

We have studied systematically room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) properties of many nanostructured ZnO samples grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Their PL spectra consist of two emissions peaked in the ultraviolet (UV) and green regions. The relative intensity of these emissions depends on the excitation energy density, size and morphology of ZnO nanostructures. Based on the excitation-density dependence of the integrated intensity ratio of UV-to-green emission, we could classify PL spectra of ZnO nanostructures into three groups characteristic of size and morphology. Our study also reveals that with increasing excitation density, the UV-peak position shifts slightly towards longer wavelengths while the green emission around 514-520 nm is almost unchanged. This green-luminescence emission is dominant when the nanostructure sizes range from 20 to 200 nm, which is related to a large surface-to-volume ratio.     

Optical properties of InGaN quantum dots

We present time-resolved and spatially-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements of InGaN inclusions in a GaN matrix. The structures were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on sapphire and Si(111) substrates. Nonresonant pulsed excitation yields a broad PL peak, while resonant excitation into the nonresonant PL intensity maximum results in an evolution of a sharp resonant PL peak, having a spectral shape defined by the excitation laser pulse and a radiative decay time close to that revealed for PL under nonresonant excitation. Observation of a resonantly excited narrow PL line gives clear proof of the quantum dot (QD) nature of luminescence in InGaN–GaN samples. Cathodoluminescence (CL) and micro-PL measurements demonstrate sharp emission lines from single QD states. The recombination dynamics of single QD’s and the whole QD ensemble were investigated. Monoexponential decay was observed for the PL of single QD’s. For similar transition energies different time constants were obtained. Therefore the nonexponential decay observed for the whole ensemble is attributed to the coexistence of QD’s having similar ground-state transition energies, but significantly different electron–hole overlap.     

Ionoluminescence and photoluminescence studies of Ag ion irradiated kyanite

Ionoluminescence (IL) of kyanite single crystals bombarded with 100 MeV swift Ag⁸⁺ ions with fluences in the range 1.87-7.5×10¹¹ ions/cm² has been studied. A pair of sharp IL peaks at ∼689 and 706 nm along with broad emission in the region 710-800 nm are recorded in both crystalline and pelletized samples. Similar results are recorded in Photoluminescence (PL) of pelletized kyanite bombarded with same ions and energy with fluences in the range 1×10¹¹-5×10¹³ ions/cm² with an excitation of 442 nm laser beam. The characteristic pair of sharp emission peaks at 689 and 706 nm in both IL and PL is attributed to luminescence centers activated by Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. The reduction in IL and PL bands intensity with increase of ion fluence might be attributed to degradation of Si-O (2ν₃) bonds, present on the surface of the sample.     

Effects of Si-doped GaAs layer on optical properties of InAs quantum dots

We have investigated the optical properties of InAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQDs) with the Si-doped GaAs barrier layer. Two types of samples are fabricated according to the position of the Si-doped GaAs layer. For type A samples the Si-doped GaAs layer is grown below the QDs, whereas for type B samples the Si-doped GaAs layer is grown above the QDs. For both types of samples the excited-state emissions caused by state filling are observed in photoluminescence (PL) spectra at high excitation power densities. The bandgap renormalization of QDs can be found from the shift of the PL peak energy. Particularly, for type A samples the Si atoms act as nucleation centers during the growth of InAs QDs on the Si-doped GaAs layer and affect the density and the size of the QDs. The Si-doped GaAs layer in type A samples has more effects on the properties of QDs, such as state filling and bandgap renormalization than those of type B samples.     

Eu掺杂SiC_xO_y薄膜的Eu~(3+)发光机制

利用磁控溅射技术在低温250℃下制备Eu掺杂SiC_xO_y薄膜,研究薄膜的Eu~(3+) 发光激发机制。实验结果表明,薄膜的发光谱由来自基体材料的蓝光和来自Eu~(3+) 的红光组成;随着薄膜中Eu含量由0.19%增加到2.27%,其红光强度增加3倍左右,而蓝光逐渐减弱。Raman光谱及荧光瞬态谱分析表明,其蓝光由中立氧空位缺陷发光中心引起。结合薄膜的Eu~(3+) 激发光谱分析,SiC_xO_y∶Eu薄膜的红光增强源于薄膜中Eu~(3+) 离子浓度的增加和/或基体材料的中立氧空位缺陷发光中心与Eu~(3+) 离子的能量转移。     

近紫外荧光粉SrAl_2Si_2O_8∶Ce~(3+)的光致发光特性

采用高温固相反应法制备了xCe~(3+)(x=0.01%,0.05%,0.10%和0.30%)激活的Sr_(1-x)Al_2Si_2O_8近紫外荧光粉,利用X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)检测出荧光粉的物相结构,通过光致发光谱(PL)和激发光谱(PLE)表征了荧光粉的发光性质。结果显示,在中波紫外光激发下,发射峰位于长波紫外区,归属于Ce~(3+)的5d→2 F5/2和5d→2 F7/2跃迁。激发波长308nm时,观察到近紫外SrAl_2Si_2O_8荧光粉的发光强度随Ce~(3+)掺杂量增加而先增大后减小,同时发射峰位置红移。280和325nm波长选择性激发条件下的差异性发射行为表明SrAl_2Si_2O_8∶Ce~(3+)具有两种性质不同的发光中心,该结论由监测320和390nm发射时获得的形状具有明显区别的激发光谱亦可得以验证。离子半径的匹配性支持Ce~(3+)优先取代Sr~(2+),同时Van Uitert的经验公式估算结果推断出低浓度的Ce~(3+)生成九配位的Ce(Ⅰ)发光中心,高浓度掺杂情况下部分相互近邻的Ce~(3+)有效配位数减小,形成八配位的Ce(Ⅱ)发光中心。紫外280nm激发下峰位348nm的发射谱带源于Ce(Ⅰ)和Ce(Ⅱ)发光中心共同贡献,紫外325nm激发下发射峰位于378nm的发射带则主要对应于Ce(Ⅱ)发光中心。紫外光激发下Ce~(3+)发射出较强的近紫外光,表明SrAl_2Si_2O_8∶Ce~(3+)是一种适用于研发紫外荧光光源的荧光粉体材料。     

Optical properties of alumina membranes prepared by anodic oxidation process

The luminescence property of anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) with ordered nanopore arrays prepared by electrochemically anodizing aluminum in oxalic acid solutions have been investigated. Photoluminescence emission (PL) measurement shows that a blue PL band occurs in the wavelength ranges of 300-600 nm. The PL intensity and peak position of AAMs depend markedly on the excitation wavelength. A new peak located at 518 nm can be observed under a monitoring wavelength at 429 nm in the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. Convincing evidences have been presented that the PLE would be associated with the residual aluminum ions in the membrane. The PLE and PL of AAMs, as a function of anodizing times, have been discussed. It is found that the oxalic impurities incorporated in the AAMs would have important influences on the optical properties of AAMs in the initial stage of anodization. The PL and PLE spectra obtained show that there are three optical centers, of which the first is originated from the F⁺ centers in AAMs, the second is correlated with the oxalic impurities incorporated in the AAMs, and the third is associated with the excess aluminum ions in the membrane.     

Simple chemical aqueous synthesis of dahlia nanoflower consisting of finger-like ZnO nanorods and observation of stable ultraviolet photoluminescence emission

In this work, we have reported the synthesis of dahlia flower-like ZnO nanostructures consisting of human finger-like nanorods by the hydrothermal method at 120 °C and without using any capping agent. Optical properties of the samples, including UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) emission characteristics are determined by dispersing the samples in water as well as in ethanol media. The quenching of PL emission intensity along-with the red shifting of the PL emission peak are observed when the samples are dispersed in water in comparison to those obtained after dispersing the samples in ethanol. It has been found that PL emission characteristic, particularly the spectral nature of PL emission, of the samples remains almost unaltered (except some improvement in UV PL emission) even after thermally annealing it for 2 h at the temperature of 300 °C. Also the synthesized powder samples, kept in a plastic container, showed a very stable PL emission even after 15 months of synthesis. Therefore, the synthesized samples might be useful for their applications in future optoelectronics devices.     

Fe掺杂对CdS光学特性的影响

采用低压金属有机化学气相沉积技术,在固定源流量的条件下,通过调节衬底温度(270~360℃)生长了不同Fe掺杂浓度的CdS薄膜。光谱测量表明低铁掺杂对CdS晶格振动的影响较小,但对光致发光性质影响较为明显。样品的光致发光谱包括两部分:2.5eV附近带-带跃迁的发光以及2.0~2.4eV之间与缺陷相关的发光。随着铁含量的增加,带-带跃迁逐渐被抑制,发光光谱被缺陷相关的发光主导,同时薄膜的电导也由n型转为p型,说明Fe离子掺入在薄膜引入了受主杂质。通过不同激发密度下的光致发光光谱测量,我们将2.0~2.4eV的发光归结为铁受主相关的D-A对发射,并根据掺杂浓度和发光峰位置估算了Fe受主的能级位置。     

Temperature dependent growth of InGaN/GaN single quantum well

InGaN/GaN single quantum well (SQW) structures under various InGaN growth temperatures have been grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), the surface morphologies and optical properties are investigated. The radius of the typical V-pits on the SQW surface is affected by the InGaN well-temperature, and the surface roughness decreased as the well-temperature reduced. Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and cathode luminescence (CL) shows the quantum well and quantum dot (QD)-like localized state light emission of the SQWs grown at 700 and 690 °C, respectively, whereas the samples grown at 670 and 650 °C present hybrid emission peaks. Excitation power dependent PL spectra indicates the QD-like localized state emission dominates at low excitation power and the quantum well emission starts to take over at high excitation power.     

Identification of about 100-meV acceptor level in?ZnO?nanostructures by photoluminescence

ZnO nanorod arrays and nanowires were grown by hydrothermal and vapor phase deposition methods, respectively. At low temperature, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of both samples are dominated by a broad peak around 3.34 eV. Combined with excitation density-dependent PL spectra and surface passivation process, it is indicated from temperature-dependent PL results that the 3.34 eV emission could be attributed to free electron-to-neutral acceptor transitions. The acceptor level is estimated to be ∼100 meV.     

Optical properties of Cu nanocomposite glass obtained via CuO and SnO co-doping

Prospective applications of plasmonic nanocomposites in photonic and optoelectronic devices demand innovative means of material syntheses, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the influence of material composition and processing on resulting properties. In this work, it is shown that a phosphate glass matrix prepared with stoichiometric amounts of CuO and SnO dopants by the melting technique may well be effective for the precipitation of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) upon heat treatment (HT). Optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, including emission decay dynamics, are employed in the characterization of the melt-quenched glass, and for investigating the influence of HT on material optical properties. The as-prepared material appeared highly luminescent; the data suggests contributions from both twofold-coordinated tin centers and Cu⁺ ions to light emission. The PL depends strongly on excitation wavelength; e.g. excitation at 260 nm shows a blue–white emission for which a significant contribution from tin is indicated, whereas excitation at 360 nm produces an orange emission in association with Cu⁺ ions. Thermal processing results in the chemical reduction of ionic copper via Sn²⁺ ultimately producing Cu NPs in the matrix, as evidenced by the appearance of the surface plasmon resonance around 574 nm. As a result, Cu⁺ PL decreases and the emission band shows a dip due to reabsorption by Cu NPs in resonance.