Preparation and photoluminescent characteristics of ZnxSr1−xS:Ce thin films

Novel Ce-doped ZnxSr1−xS solid solutions have been prepared as blue-green emitting phosphor thin films. The composition dependence of luminescent properties was investigated for the first time. It has been found that the emission intensity of Ce3+ photoluminescence (PL) in ZnxSr1−xS:Ce films with a rocksalt structure is enhanced by the incorporation of Zn and shows a peak atx ≈ 0.05. It has also been found that the PL intensity can also be increased by annealing the films at 750–800°C. The increase of PL intensity is attributable to the improvement of the crystallinity of the films.