Application of derivative spectroscopy method to photoluminescence in ZnS:Mn nanocrystals

Abstract

An improved derivative spectroscopy method is proposed to resolve elementary bands in experimental photoluminescence spectra with high accuracy. The main procedures of analysis and calculations in the frame of this method are described. The method is tested on a synthetic photoluminescence spectrum consisting of five elementary Gaussian bands. The resolution of our method applied to overlapped Gaussian bands is estimated depending on their bandwidths. The photoluminescence spectrum of ZnS:Mn nanocrystals obtained with a selfpropagating high-temperature synthesis is analyzed, using our derivative spectroscopy method. Six photoluminescence bands are found, with their peaks located at the wavelengths equal to 540, 559, 579, 600, 620 and 643 nm.