Bright visible luminescence from highly textured, transparent Dy3+ doped RF sputtered zinc oxide films

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 721; pp. 661 - 673
• Main Authors: Sreeja Sreedharan, R., Reshmi Krishnan, R., Sanal Kumar, G., Kavitha, V.S., Chalana, S.R., Jolly Bose, R., Suresh, S., Vinodkumar, R., Sudheer, S.K., Mahadevan Pillai, V.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.10.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Boundary element method; Concentration quenching; Cross-relaxation; Diffraction; Doping; Dy3+ doped ZnO films; Dysprosium; Energy consumption; Grain boundaries; Laser photoluminescence; Luminescence; Magnetic properties; Magnetron sputtering; Morphology; Optical constants; Optical properties; Oxide coatings; Rare earth compounds; Rare earth elements; Rare-earth doping; Structural analysis; Studies; Wurtzite; Zinc oxide; Rare-earth doping; Cross-relaxation; Optical constants; Dy3+ doped ZnO films; Laser photoluminescence; Concentration quenching
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.06.010

Doping of rare earth elements such as Dy3+ into ZnO lattice can modify the luminescence properties. Dy3+ ions exhibit emissions in the visible region. The preparation of Dy3+ doped ZnO films with bright visible luminescence is of importance for luminescent device applications. In this study, highly textured, c-axis oriented, transparent, luminescent Dy3+ doped ZnO films are prepared using RF magnetron sputtering. The structural, morphological, optical and luminescent properties of the as-deposited films are investigated as a function of Dy3+ doping concentration. The structural analysis of the films carried out using X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman studies reveal the formation of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase in the films. All the films present smooth surface morphology consisting of dense distribution of grains with well-defined grain boundaries. The elemental analysis carried out using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra confirms the incorporation of Dy3+ ions in the ZnO lattice. The high transmittance of Dy3+doped ZnO films in the visible range with a sharp absorption edge shows good optical quality of the films. The visible luminescence observed ∼580 nm in the Dy3+ doped ZnO films can be attributed to theF924→H1326 transition of Dy3+ ions, suggesting the suitability of these films for luminescent device applications. •Highly c-oriented transparent, luminescent Dy3+doped ZnO films are prepared.•Structural, morphological, optical and luminescent properties are studied.•Structural quality of the films is analyzed using XRD and Raman spectra.•Bright visible emission ∼580 nm due to F924→H1326 transition of Dy3+ ions is obtained.