Photoluminescence around 1.54 μm from Er-containing ZnO at room temperature

Abstract

The photoluminescence (PL) around the wavelength of 1.54 μm from the Er-containing ZnO specimens was measured at room temperature by the indirect excitation of the He-Cd laser (325 nm). The PL intensity varied greatly with the Er concentration and the specimen preparation conditions as well. The specimens with the Er content of about 2.6 at%, sintered at 1623 K, and cooled quickly to room temperature in air showed the highest PL intensity at 1.534 μm. The local structure of the optically active Er centers in ZnO was also discussed, and the appropriate optically active center might be the Er ions existing in the grain boundaries.