Eu3+ reduction and efficient light emission in Eu2O3 films deposited on Si substrates

Opt Express. 2012 Feb 27;20(5):5501-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.20.005501.

Abstract

A stable Eu3+ → Eu2+ reduction is accomplished by thermal annealing in N2 ambient of Eu2O3 films deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si substrates. Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate the occurrence of a complex reactivity at the Eu2O3/Si interface, leading to the formation of Eu2+ silicates, characterized by a very strong (the measured external quantum efficiency is about 10%) and broad room temperature photoluminescence (PL) peak centered at 590 nm. This signal is much more efficient than the Eu3+ emission, mainly consisting of a sharp PL peak at 622 nm, observed in O2-annealed films, where the presence of a SiO2 layer at the Eu2O3/Si interface prevents Eu2+ formation.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Europium / chemistry*
  • Light
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Refractometry
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Silicon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Oxides
  • Europium
  • Silicon