The photoluminescence and optical absorptance of plasma hydrogenated nanocrystalline ZnO thin films

Abstract

We have developed the technology of the deposition of the nominally undoped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films by DC reactive magnetron sputtering of Zn target in the gas mixture of argon and oxygen plasma. We have optimized the photoluminescence spectroscopy for measuring optically scattering thin layers with the high sensitivity, precise sample positioning and very low influence of the scattered excitation light. Here we present the latest results on the enhancement of the photoluminescence of the nanocrystalline ZnO thin films after plasma hydrogenation. The photoluminescence in near UV region has been enhanced whereas the deep defect related photoluminescence has been significantly decreased. We found good room temperature stability of the plasma hydrogenated ZnO nanocrystals in air, but fast degradation at elevated temperature\