Effect of Zn doping on the photoluminescence properties of LiNbO3 single crystals

• Published in: Optical materials 2016-12, Vol.62, p.639-645
• Main Authors: Murillo, J.G., Herrera, G., Vega-Rios, A., Flores-Gallardo, S., Duarte-Moller, A., Castillo-Torres, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Lithium niobate; Photoluminescence properties; Zinc doping
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2016.10.059

An extraordinary violet luminescence at 418 nm together with the intrinsic blue band at 440 nm with excitation in the UV region (380 nm) was observed in a series of LiNbO3 single crystals doped with Zn. Structural and photoluminescence properties were studied by Raman, UV reflectance, and fluorospectrometry, respectively. The emission peaks in PL spectra varied in amplitude according to the level of concentration of Zn in LiNbO3 crystals. It was found, from Raman spectroscopy studies, a connection between the appearance of the new emission band centered at 418 nm and a diminishing in the Li concentration in crystals, which suggest the displacement of the Li ions from their regular sites by the Zn ions. The maximum peak intensity of each one of the three PL emission components found from a deconvolution process shows a linear dependence on the Zn concentration present in the crystals studied. •The Zn doping in LiNbO3 crystals induces a new and strong emission violet band centered at 418 nm.•A linear dependence of the photoluminescence components on the Zn concentration in LiNbO3 was found.•A diminishing in Li concentration in LiNbO3 with an increasing in Zn concentration was determined.