Photoluminescence and Raman spectra of SnOx nanostructures doped with Sm ions

The photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering of SnO_x nanoparticles deposited from vapor phase have been studied. The PL spectra are characterized by a two-band structure. The high-energy band in the range from 300 to 350 nm is due to the exciton pair annihilation and may characterize the band gap of SnO_x nanocrystals as a function of their diameter. In the red spectral region (from 600 to 700 nm), a luminescence band due to defects in nanocrystals manifests itself. The existence of defects in SnO_x nanostructures is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Doping of SnO_x nanoparticles with rare earth (samarium) atoms leads to the appearance of strong luminescence lines in the red region of the PL spectrum.