Optical studies of the growth of Cd{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}Zn{sub {ital x}}S nanocrystals in borosilicate glass
- Department of Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180-3590 (United States)
We analyze optical-absorption and Raman-scattering measurements of CdS- and Zn-doped borosilicate glass, heat treated at 600 {degree}C to 725 {degree}C, to study the nucleation and growth of II-VI nanoparticles. The energy of vibrational Raman modes indicates that Cd{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}Zn{sub {ital x}}S crystallites form where {ital x} is initially zero and increases to 0.15 with time. In glass which is quenched from high temperature ({gt}1000 {degree}C) there is a weak, monotonic optical absorption which increases with photon energy. Heat treatment at 600 {degree}C to 725 {degree}C causes the optical absorption to increase and to form a peak between 3.0 and 3.2 eV. After the peak reaches its maximum value, it begins to shift to lower energy. We interpret the optical data in terms of quantum confinement of electron and hole excited states. We conclude that nucleation of particles in this glass composition is homogeneous. Typical critical nuclei are in the range from 1.5 to 2 nm. The particle size distribution is narrowest (25% full width at half maximum) at the end of the homogeneous nucleation stage and broadens when coarsening begins.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 165776
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Vol. 52, Issue 16; Other Information: PBD: 15 Oct 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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