Multiple site occupancies of Eu3+ in differently oriented ZnMgO:Eu epilayers

•High-resolution XRD analysis and reciprocal space mapping of polar and non-polar ZnMgO:Eu epilayers.•Temperature-dependent PL and PLE analyses.•Luminescence decay kinetics of Eu3+ in ZnMgO is presented at 4.6 K, 90 K and room temperature.•Eu3+ ions exhibit long radiative lifetime in ZnMgO random al...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials research bulletin Vol. 188; p. 113403
Main Authors: Mathew, Juby Alphonsa, Wierzbicka, Aleksandra, Jakiela, Rafal, Zhydachevskyy, Yaroslav, Lysak, Anastasiia, Stachowicz, Marcin, Kozanecki, Adrian
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2025
Subjects:
Crystal orientation
Eu-doped ZnMgO alloy
Luminescence decay kinetics
Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Optical material
Eu-doped ZnMgO alloy
Optical material
Luminescence decay kinetics
Crystal orientation
Molecular Beam Epitaxy
ISSN:0025-5408
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•High-resolution XRD analysis and reciprocal space mapping of polar and non-polar ZnMgO:Eu epilayers.•Temperature-dependent PL and PLE analyses.•Luminescence decay kinetics of Eu3+ in ZnMgO is presented at 4.6 K, 90 K and room temperature.•Eu3+ ions exhibit long radiative lifetime in ZnMgO random alloy.•Multiple site occupancies of Eu3+ ions in ZnMgO random alloy are confirmed. ZnMgO:Eu epilayers were grown on polar c-plane and non-polar r-plane Al2O3 substrates via oxygen plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The effect of crystal orientation on the luminescence properties is investigated in the as-grown and annealed ZnMgO:Eu crystals. The structural characteristics were accurately evaluated using the symmetrical and asymmetrical reciprocal space maps of high-resolution XRD measurements. Photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation properties and PL decay kinetics were studied at room- and low- temperatures. Regardless of the crystal orientation, annealed ZnMgO:Eu epilayers exhibit an intense Eu3+ red emission boosted by efficient host-to-dopant energy transfer and charge transfer mechanisms. However, ZnMgO:Eu/r-Al2O3 presents intrinsic defect luminescence centres, relatively quenching Eu3+ PL. Multiple emission lines are identified in the 5D0 to 7FJ=0 transition range. PL decay kinetics of Eu3+ showcases a long luminescence lifetime and multi-exponential behaviour under resonant and non-resonant excitations. Temperature-dependent luminescence analyses confirm multiple site occupancies of Eu3+ in ZnMgO. [Display omitted]
ISSN:0025-5408
DOI:10.1016/j.materresbull.2025.113403