Abstract:
The influence of spherical nanoindentation on the band edge and deep level emission of single
crystal c-axis ZnO has been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy and monochromatic
imaging. Excitonic emission is quenched at the indent site and defect emission in the range of
450–720 nm is enhanced. Analysis of CL monochromatic images and spectra suggests that at least
two different defect states are responsible for the broad defect emission band. Additionally, the
indents result in a strong crystallographic dependence of the defect emission, producing a rosette
feature with [1120] [2110], and [1210] orientations that reflect the star-shaped luminescence
quenching observed at the excitonic peak 390 nm .
