Structural and photoluminescence characteristics of ZnO films by room temperature sputtering and rapid thermal annealing process

ZnO thin films deposited on SiO₂/Si substrates at room temperature by sputtering technology were annealed with a rapid thermal annealing process at various temperatures from 200 °C to 900°C. The physical and optical properties of the ZnO films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL). The surface structures of the thin films showed great variations with increased annealing temperature. The PL spectrum illustrated that a stronger UV emission intensity appeared at an annealing temperature of 500°C. On the other hand, visible-light emission could be obtained when the ZnO films were annealed above 500°C and reached a maximum intensity at 900°C. The possible mechanisms for visible-light emission are discussed.