Thickness dependence of photoluminescence-decay profiles of exciton-exciton scattering in ZnO thin films

• Published in: The European physical journal. B, Condensed matter physics Vol. 86; no. 9
• Main Authors: Wakaiki, Shuji, Ichida, Hideki, Kawase, Toshiki, Mizoguchi, Kohji, Kim, DaeGwi, Nakayama, Masaaki, Kanematsu, Yasuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2013; EDP Sciences
• Subjects: Complex Systems; Condensed Matter Physics; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid- and Aerodynamics; Ii-vi semiconductors; Nanostructured and Molecular Materials; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of specific thin films; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Regular Article; Solid State Physics; Topical issue: Excitonic Processes in Condensed Matter; Peak Energy; Excitonic System; Thickness Dependence; Decay Time; Exciton Density; Biexcitons; Thin films; Thickness; Size effect; Photoluminescence; Zinc oxide; Polaritons; Exciton-exciton interactions; Luminescence decay
• ISSN: 1434-6028; 1434-6036
• DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2013-30631-5

We have investigated the photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of ZnO thin films under intense excitation conditions using an optical-Kerr-gating method. The PL bands originating from exciton-exciton scattering (P emission) and biexciton (M emission) have been observed at 10 K. The ultrashort gating time of 0.6 ps has enabled us to obtain precise information of the temporal profiles of the peak energies and the intensities of the P- and M-PL bands. We have found that the decay time of the P emission becomes longer with increasing film thickness, while that of the M emission is independent of the film thickness. Although the decay time of the P emission is an increasing function of the film thickness, the relation is not in proportion, which is contrary to the predicted proportionality based on a simple model of photon-like polariton propagation.