The efficacy of diffusing cobalt into window-grade polycrystalline ZnSe during high-temperature anneals was studied. Absorption, photoluminescence, time-resolved PL, and electron paramagnetic resonance were used to characterize samples with cobalt concentrations ranging from 1017 to 1019/cm3. Absorption and PL were used to monitor the optical properties of Co2+ impurities, as well as detect Ni2+ and Fe2+ ions due to unintentional contamination. The temperature dependence of the 3μm emission due to Co2+ ions was measured and lifetimes were determined. electron paramagnetic resonance was used to monitor the paramagnetic charge states (Co2+, Ni3+ and Fe3+) of the transition-metal ions in these samples. The effects of nickel and iron impurities on the Co2+ infra-red emission intensity and lifetime were considered.

Optical and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopies of Diffusion-Doped Co2+:ZnSe. M.Luo, N.Y.Garces, N.C.Giles, U.N.Roy, Y.Cui, A.Burger: Journal of Applied Physics, 2006, 99[7], 073709 (7pp)