Preparation and optical properties of ZnxCd1 − xS films

ZnxCd1 − xS solid-solution films, about 1 μm thick, were prepared by heat-treatment of the ZnSCdS double films, vacuum-deposited with various thickness ratios on a pyrex glass, in argon gas atmosphere at 600°C for 3 h. The composition, x-value, of the solid-solution films were experimentally determined by means of EPMA. XRD results showed that these films had hexagonal wurtzite-type structure and their composition and lattice parameters were in good agreement with those of the bulk material reported by Ballentyne and Ray. Optical transmission spectroscopy results indicated that observed energy gap, Eg, values of these films were in good agreement with those of the balk materials reported by Curie. The solid-solution films doped with small amounts of Ag and Cl in the preparation processes showed various PL emission colors, from blue to red under the 365 nm UV excitation at room temperature, in accordance with the film composition.