Tailoring the blueviolet photoluminescence from Sn-implanted SiO 2 using a two-step annealing process

Abstract

The blueviolet photoluminescence (PL) response of ion beam synthesized Sn nanoparticles (NPs) in silica is studied in samples submitted to a two-step thermal annealing process. This process consists of a low temperature and long time ageing treatment (523K, 100h) followed by a high temperature and short time one (T>773K, 0.5h). The comparison between aged and non-aged control samples by means of transmission electron microscopy observations and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry measurements demonstrates that the ageing treatment causes the formation of a more thermally stable and dense array of rather small Sn NPs. This phenomenon is correlated with the enhancement in the blueviolet PL intensity caused by the formation of luminescent defects at the NP/matrix interface region, persisting even at annealing temperatures as high as 1373K. Show more