Properties of CdS nanocrystallites embedded in to thin ZrO2 waveguides

In this paper we present results on CdS nanocrystal (NC) formation in ZrO2 thin film grown by sol-gel process. Raman and waveguiding Raman scattering spectroscopies were applied to determine CdS nanocrystal precipitation in o ur films. RES (Rutherford back scattering) and optical absorption spectrosc opy were applied to determine CdS distribution homogeneity through the laye r depth. NC size and dispersion. Thus we obtained low size dispersed CdS na nocrystals with preparation temperature controlled size. Moreover. Raman an d high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) evidenced simult aneous correlated crystallisation of hexagonal CdS and tetragonal:monoclini c ZrO2 phases. We applied also light induced dynamic grating technique unde r high excitation conditions in order to analyst dynamic properties of none quilibrium charge carriers in thin films. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. Al l rights reserved.