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Impact of silver/copper dual-doping on the structure, linear and non-linear optical performance of ZnO thin films

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Abstract

The impact of Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu dual-doping on the structure, linear and non-linear optical performance of ZnO thin films has been investigated. Undoped ZnO and Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu dual-doped ZnO thin films (Zn0.95Ag0.05−xCuxO, where x: 0, 0.025 and 0.05) were prepared using the spray pyrolysis method. The morphology of the samples was examined using a scanning electron microscope. The variations in the samples’ structure were explored using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The optical transmittance and absorbance spectra were measured using a UV–visible-NIR spectrophotometer. The optical properties analysis reveals that the absorbance of the doped ZnO thin films increases due to Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu dual doping. While the energy bandgap of the plain ZnO decreases from 3.27 to 3.12 eV (Ag-doped ZnO), 3.02 eV (Ag/Cu dual-doped ZnO) and 2.95 eV (Cu-doped ZnO). The refractive index (n), dielectric constants and nonlinear optical properties of the ZnO thin film are greatly enhanced due to Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu dual doping. For instance, at the incident photons energy of 2.5 eV, n increases from 2.06 (plain ZnO) to 2.28 (Ag-doped ZnO), 2.45 (Ag/Cu dual-doped ZnO) and 2.90 (Cu-doped ZnO). The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)) is improved from 8 × 10–13 esu (plain ZnO) to 2.1 × 10–12 esu (Ag-doped ZnO), 4.13 × 10–12 esu (Ag/Cu dual-doped ZnO) and 2.05 × 10–11 esu (Cu-doped ZnO).The enhanced linear and nonlinear optical properties of the ZnO thin films via Ag, Cu and Ag/Cu dual-doping nominate them for optical and photonic applications.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/272), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

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  1. Department of Physics, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    M. G. Althobaiti, Sami S. Alharthi, Abdulaziz N. Alharbi & Ali Badawi

  2. Department of Physics, University College of Turabah, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Ali Badawi

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  1. M. G. Althobaiti
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Althobaiti, M.G., Alharthi, S.S., Alharbi, A.N. et al. Impact of silver/copper dual-doping on the structure, linear and non-linear optical performance of ZnO thin films. Appl. Phys. A 128, 539 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-022-05682-y

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