Yellowish-white luminescence in codoped zinc oxide

The broad-band visible emission of codoped ZnO was studied. The codoped ZnO specimens were intentionally and simultaneously doped with IIIa elements (donors) and Li (acceptor). Broad-band emission covering nearly the whole visible range was achieved. The emission was found to be yellowish white to the naked eye. The visible band was composed of two components, i.e., a green emission having a peak at 2.2 eV and a yellow emission having a peak at 2.0 eV. The peak at 2.2 eV was distinct from the nonstructured green emission at 2.45 eV. The 2.2 and 2.0 eV peaks were attributed to donor-acceptor pair transitions involving the zinc vacancy and lithium, respectively. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.