Electron energy-loss spectroscopy study of Yb doped ZnO

The diffusion of rare-earth ion, Yb(3+), into ZnO lattice has been measured using spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy in transmission electron microscopy. Although a trace of Yb(3+) can be detected in ZnO, the diffusion distance was only in a magnitude of several tens of nanometers. It also discovered that large amounts of interstitial O were formed in the Yb(3+) diffusion region. These interstitial O formed a thin layer (similar to 20 nm) which separated the Yb(3+) diffusion layer from the bulk ZnO. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3493260]