Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of ZnO:N using NO as dopant

Highly c-axis orientated ZnO was grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using NO as both oxidant and nitrogen dopant source. The properties of the deposited material are investigated by X-ray diffraction to study the crystalline quality of the thin films. Photoluminescence measurements are used to determine the optical properties of the material as a function of VI/II ratio and post growth-annealing temperature. Two transitions appear at 3.228 and 3.156 eV and are interpreted as involving active nitrogen acceptors. An increase in the NO flow increases the concentration of nitrogen in the films, which are activated by subsequent annealing at 600 °C in an oxygen ambient.