Li- and Er-codoped ZnO with enhanced 1.54μm photoemission

Abstract

Lithium ions were introduced into Er-doped ZnO specimens, and the codoping effect was investigated on the photoluminescence (PL) spectra around 1.54μm. It was found that the Li addition increased the PL intensity by about 90 times at most, and also the strongest peak position shifted from 1.534μm to 1.539μm. The enhancement in the PL intensity could be attributed to the modification of the local symmetry and structure around Er3+ by Li ions. The Li ions can be introduced easily into the Er-doped ZnO and other semiconductor hosts, and is therefore a very useful element in the practical fabrication of the optoelectronic devices.