Growth and characterization of Er-doped ZnO elongated nanostructures

Abstract

Er-doped ZnO nano- and microstructures have been grown by thermal treating of compacted mixtures of ZnO and Er_2O_3 powders and their optical properties have been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL). Annealing the pressed samples leads to the growth of nanoneedles and nanoneedle networks, as well as rods. CL measurements enable detection of the dopant incorporation into these structures as well as the influence of this incorporation on the defect structure. CL contrast reveals an inhomogeneous distribution of luminescent centers, showing differences in the Er incorporation degree as a function of morphology and structures of the rods. Spectral distribution of the luminescence also points toward a nonhomogeneous distribution of the dopant. The growth of hierarchical structures has also been studied.