Synthesis and Laser Processing of ZnO Nanocrystalline Thin Films

TL;DR

This paper reports on the synthesis of ZnO nanocrystalline thin films via pulsed laser deposition, optimizing conditions to enhance optical properties and defect control, with post-growth laser annealing improving luminescence.

Contribution

It introduces a method for synthesizing and optimizing ZnO nanostructured films with improved optical quality using laser processing techniques.

Findings

Optimized substrate temperature and ambient conditions increased excitonic emission.

Post-growth UV laser annealing improved film optical quality.

Photoluminescence depends on laser fluence and shot number.

Abstract

We present the results of experiments on synthesis of ZnO nanoclusters by reactive pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The nanoclusters were formed and crystallized in the gas phase and deposited on SiO2 substrates. The nanostructured films were characterized by conventional photoluminescence (PL). The PL spectra consist of a narrow UV excitonic band and a broad visible band related to defects in the film. The film preparation conditions such as the substrate temperature, ambient gas nature and pressure, were optimized in order to increase the intensity of excitonic emission and prevent the formation of defects. A post-growth annealing by UV laser radiation improved the optical quality of the deposited films. The photoluminescence intensity was found to be dependent significantly on the laser fluence and on the number of shots per site. The nature of the defects responsible for the observed luminescence in a visible range is discussed.