Refractive indices and absorption coefficients of MgxZn1-xO alloys

Indices of refraction for MgxZn1-xO epitaxial films grown by pulsed-laser deposition on sapphire substrates with x up to 0.36 were determined in the range of wavelength 457-968 nm by analysis of optical transmission spectra and prism-coupled waveguide measurements. The dispersion follows the first-order Sellmeier dispersion equation. Absorption coefficients, exciton energy gaps, and binding energies of MgxZn1-xO alloys were determined by transmission spectroscopy. The excitonic absorption features were clearly visible at room temperature despite alloy broadening. These results provide important information for the design and modeling of ZnO/MgZnO heterostructure optoelectronic devices. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)01408-X].