Optical and magnetic characterization of transition metal ion doped ZnO microspheres synthesized via laser ablation in air

We report the synthesis of transition metal doped (TM) ZnO micropsheres using doped ZnO sintered targets containing Mn 1% dopant. Transition metals are prospective materials for p type acceptor doping in ZnO. Structural and morphology study were conducted using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM and Raman spectroscopy. Room temperature Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the fabricated ZnO microspheres were measured, at an excitation wavelength of 355 nm. In our study, smooth spherical shaped micro particles with different diameters ranging from similar to 1 to 3 mu m were grown in different substrates by using a pulsed Nd3+: YAG laser. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) images show the presence of uniform smooth surfaced spheres. Raman scattering measurements from the synthesised samples at 532 nm wavelength excitation provide confirms the wurtzite structure of the fabricated undoped and TM doped ZnO microsphere. The doped microspheres exhibited UV whispering gallery modes (WGM) cavity lasing by optical pumping. Magnetic measurements from TM doped ZnO microparticles using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) are in progress.