LAUSR

Abstract Microstructures and native defects are very important for the optical, electrical and magnetic properties of ZnO-based materials. In this study, microstructures of the Cu-doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) films were changed by applying high magnetic field (HMF) during different growth processes of the as-deposited Zn-Cu films and the subsequent thermal oxidation treatment. The effects of the microstructure evolutions on the defects formation and photoluminescence performance are examined. The results show that the interaction between magnetization and thermal motion promotes (002) preferred orientation of the as-deposited Zn-Cu films. Meanwhile, the variation of the atomic deposition sites due to the HMF leads to the significant differences of surface morphology of the as-deposited films. The application of the HMF during the oxidation affects the adsorption sites of O2− and leads the surface spherical particles change to rod-like particles. Moreover, the HMF shows more significant effects during the deposition of the Zn-Cu films in enhancing on the amount of the oxygen vacancy, which improves green emission of the ZnO:Cu films.