Length versus radius relationship for ZnO nanowires grown via vapour phase transport

We model the growth of ZnO nanowires via vapour phase transport and examine the relationship predicted between the nanowire length and radius. The model predicts that the lengths of the nanowires increase with decreasing nanowire radii. This prediction is in very good agreement with experimental data from a variety of nanowire samples, including samples showing a broad range of nanowire radii and samples grown using a lithographic technique to constrain the nanowire radius. The close agreement of the model and the experimental data strongly support supporting the inclusion of a surface diffusion term in the model for the incorporation of species into a growing nanowire

Dependence of the stimulated luminescence threshold in ZnO nanocrystals on their geometric shape

International audienceThe effect of the shape and dimensions of zinc oxide nanocrystals on the spontaneous luminescence decay times and the thresholds of stimulated luminescence in the ultraviolet spectral region is studied. It is shown that the columnar nanocrystals with hexagonal faceting exhibit the lowest threshold power of optical excitation for the diameters of the nanocavities are 100-200 nm, comparable to the absorption length for the excitation light. Different mechanisms of lasing are established for nanocrystals shaped as prisms and pyramids with a hexagonal base. Variations in the decay times and lasing thresholds can be attributed to different local densities of photon states in regularly shaped nanocrystals