LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF SOL-GEL DEPOSITED Eu:TiO2 THIN FILMS

Abstract

In this work we show the results on tile growth and optical characterization of TiO 2 thin films doped with Eu atoms. Eu:TiO2 films were grown at room temperature with different Eu concentrations by sol-gel on Si Corning glass substrates. A different crystalline structure is developed for the films deposited on Corning glass than those deposited on Si as observed from x-ray diffraction experiments. Room and low temperature photoluminescence (PL) was measured by using two different lines (325 and 442 nm) of a HeCd laser. A strong PL signal associated to the 5 D 0→7 F 2 transition from Eu +3 was observed. A better emission was obtained from those films deposited on Si substrates, Finally, the evolution of the PL signal is studied when the samples are annealed at different temperatures in O 2 atmosphere.