Synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence of β-Ga ₂O ₃ nanofibers

Gallium oxide nanofibers were synthesized by reactive pulsed laser ablation of 99.99% pure GaN target in vacuum condition. The nanofibers have been identified to be β-Ga ₂O ₃ by X-ray diffraction and selected area diffraction. The structure and composition of the as-deposited product were determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The β-Ga ₂O ₃ nanofibers have diameters in the range of 10-20 nm and lengths up to tens of microns. Photoluminescence measurements at temperature between 10 K and room temperature show that the nanofibers emit stable and high brightness UV and blue light at 390 nm and 440 nm respectively under the excitation of 325 nm laser source which may find potential applications in one-dimensional optoelectronics nanodevices.