Photoinduced formation of zinc nanoparticles by UV laser irradiation of ZnO.

Simple exposure of single-crystal ZnO to 193 nm excimer laser radiation at room temperature results in unexpected coloration. The gray to nearly black colored material, seen principally in the irradiated laser spot, is superficial. We present unambiguous evidence that this coloration is due to high densities of metallic Zn nanoparticles growing on the exposed surface of the crystal. Higher fluence laser exposure generates accumulated surface metal just outside of the irradiated spot. We suggest that the near surface bulk is photodecomposing; thermally driven diffusion leads to surface Zn metal aggregation.