Influence of Sn and Cr Doping on Morphology and Luminescence of Thermally Grown Ga_2O_3 Nanowires

Abstract

Elongated micro- and nanostructures of Sn doped or Sn and Cr codoped monoclinic gallium oxide have been grown by a thermal method. The presence of Sn during growth has been shown to strongly influence the morphology of the resulting structures, including Sn doped branched wires, whips, and needles. Subsequent codoping with Cr is achieved through thermal diffusion for photonic purposes. The formation mechanism of the branched structures has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Epitaxial growth has been demonstrated in some cases, revealed by a very high quality interface between the central rod and the branches of the structures, while in other cases, formation of extended defects such as twins has been observed in the interface region. The influence of dopants on the energy levels of Ga and O within the structures has been studied by XPS. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the influence of Sn doping, and Sn-Cr codoping on the vibrational properties of single nanowires. Cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements show a Sn-related complex band in the Sn-doped structures. Temperature-dependent and excitation-density-dependent CL indicates that this is a thermally activated emission. In the Sn-Cr codoped samples, the characteristic, very intense Cr^3+ red luminescence emission quenches the bands observed in the Sn-doped samples. Branched, Sn-Cr codoped structures were studied with microphotoluminescence imaging and spectroscopy, and waveguiding behavior was observed along the trunks and branches of these structures.