The photoluminescence (PL), and PL excitation studies of Er-implanted GaN r
eveal a variety of Er centers with different excitation mechanisms. The PL
of the centers dominating under above band-gap illumination is mediated pri
marily by donor-acceptor pair recombination, and subject to temperature que
nching. Evidence is found for significant energy migration among Er centers
dominating under direct excitation into the 4f-shell, which leads to a str
onger quenching. The PL intensity of centers excited by a broad, below-gap
absorption band, associated with deep traps is temperature independent. (C)
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