Surface characterization and luminescent properties of SrAl 2O 4:Eu 2+, Dy 3+ nano thin films

H. C. Swart, O. M. Ntwaeaborwa, P. D. Nsimama, J. J. Terblans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

SrAl 2O 4:Eu 2+, Dy 3+ thin films were grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates in different atmospheres using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The effects of vacuum, oxygen (O 2) and argon (Ar) deposition atmospheres on the structural, morphological and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the films were investigated. The films were ablated using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser. Improved PL intensities were obtained from the unannealed films prepared in Ar and O 2 atmospheres compared to those prepared in vacuum. A stable green emission peak at 520 nm, attributed to 4f 65d 1→4f 7 Eu 2+ transitions was obtained. After annealing the films prepared in vacuum at 800°C for 2 h, the intensity of the green emission (520 nm) of the thin film increased considerably. The amorphous thin film was crystalline after the annealing process. The diffusion of adventitious C into the nanostructured layers deposited in the Ar and O 2 atmospheres was most probably responsible for the quenching of the PL intensity after annealing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1660-1663
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica B: Condensed Matter
Volume407
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diffusion
  • PLD
  • Phosphor thin films
  • Photoluminescence
  • SrAl O :Eu , Dy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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