Characterization of deep acceptor level in as-grown ZnO thin film by molecular beam epitaxy

We report deep level transient spectroscopy results from ZnO layers grown on silicon by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The hot probe measurements reveal mixed conductivity in the as-grown ZnO layers, and the current-voltage (I-V) measurements demonstrate a good quality p-type Schottky device. A new deep acceptor level is observed in the ZnO layer having activation energy of 0.49± 0.03 eV and capture cross-section of 8.57×10^-18 cm². Based on the results from Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) of the ZnO layer, the observed acceptor trap level is tentatively attributed to a nitrogen-zinc vacancy complex in ZnO.