Luminescence Spectrometer Research Articles

Luminescence properties of Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ coactivated Gd(III) tungstate phosphor for light-emitting diodes

Rare-earth ions coactivated red phosphors Gd 0.2RE 1.8(WO 4) 3 (RE=Eu 3+ and Sm 3+) were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction using boric acid as a flux agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and luminescence spectrometer (LS). The results showed that the Eu–Sm system exhibits higher emission intensity than those of the Eu single-doped system and Sm separate-doped system under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Samarium(III) ions are effective in broadening and strengthened absorptions around 400 nm. Furthermore, it exhibits enhanced luminescence emission. when the mole ratio of boric acid is about 0.16, the luminescence capability is optimum. Two strongest lines at ultraviolet (394 nm) and blue (465 nm) in excitation spectra of these phosphors match well with the output wavelengths of UV and blue GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) chips.

Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of green-emitting phosphor (Sr, Zn) Al2O4: Eu2+, B3+ for white light emitting diodes (WLED)

Abstract In this study, the phosphors (Sr1−x , Znx)0.9(Al2−y , By)O4 doped 10 mol % Eu2+, were prepared by combustion method as the fluorescent material for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs), performing as a light source. The luminescent properties were investigated by changing the combustion temperature, the boron concentration, and the ratio of Sr to Zn. The luminescence, crystallinity and particle morphology were investigated by using a luminescence spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The highest intensity of Sr0.9(Al2−y , By)O4: Eu0.12+ phosphor was achieved when the combustion temperature was 600° and the concentration of B3+ was 8 mol % of the aluminate. A new blue emission was observed when the high Zn concentration (x ⩾ 0.8), and this blue emission disappeared with the Zn concentration became lower than 0.8. The combustion method synthesized phosphor (Sr0.6, Zn0.4)0.9(Al1.92, B0.08)O4: Eu0.12+ showed 3.3 times improved emission intensity compared with that of the Sr0.9(Al1.92, B0.08)O4:Eu0.12+ phosphor under λex = 390 nm.

Preparation and luminescent properties of Cr 3+:Al 2O 3 nano-powders by low-temperature combustion synthesis

Cr 3+:Al 2O 3 nano-powders were prepared through low-temperature combustion synthesis (LCS) method by using glucose as a dispersion agent for the first time. The Cr 3+:Al 2O 3 nano-powders samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and luminescence spectrometer. XRD results showed that pure α-Al 2O 3 phase was obtained for the sample fired at 1100 °C for 0.5 h. TEM results indicated that nano-powders were well dispersed. Luminescence spectrum analysis results indicated that the excitation spectrum of Cr 3+:Al 2O 3 nano-powders consisted of two bands peaking at 462 nm and 579 nm, respectively, and the emission spectrum consisted of two bands peaking at 692 nm and 668 nm, respectively.

Synthesis by microwave-assisted and luminescence properties of CaTiO 3:Pr 3+ phosphor

In this paper, CaTiO 3:Pr 3+ phosphor is synthesized by microwave-assisted sintering. The decomposition behavior of intermediate product is detected using thermogravimetric analysis. The crystalline phase and surface morphology of samples are discussed by X-ray diffraction spectra and transmission electron microscopy spectra. The luminescence properties of the phosphor are characterized by means of brightness meter and luminescence spectrometer. It is shown that the time and power of microwave irradiation have a great influence on the luminescence characteristics. And the microwave irradiation can improve the surface morphology of CaTiO 3:Pr 3+ phosphor observably. The optimal luminescence properties of CaTiO 3:Pr 3+ phosphor are typically obtained at 900 °C for 2 h with the microwave irradiation for 15 min at 300 W microwave power.

Preparation and Characterization of Silica-Coated Indium Oxide Nanoparticles

Silica-coated Indium oxide nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a modified reverse microemulsion method and characterized by TEM, XRD, EDS and luminescence spectrometer; the single crystal particles are encapsulated by a smooth and uniform silica shell (average size approximately 35 nm in diameter) and show photoluminescence property. The size of the particles and the thickness of the shells can be controlled by adjust the ratio of the reaction agents. The physical structure and optical property of Indium oxide particles remain same during the silica coating process.

In situ luminescence spectroscopy with multivariate analysis for the discrimination of black ballpoint pen ink-lines on paper

A novel approach to the non-destructive discrimination of black, ball-point pen ink-lines on paper, has been developed which uses a standard luminescence spectrometer coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to these data-sets, followed by linear regression of the loadings, not only facilitates separation of the ink luminescence from that of the paper, but also allows a direct comparison between two ink lines on documents. This data reduction means that such a comparison can be done on an effectively univariate basis whereby a straightforward statistical comparison is made between two numbers, each characteristic of an ink. Thus the question, in the forensic context, of whether two ink-lines are indistinguishable may be answered with a particular statistical confidence and the method shows significantly better discrimination, for the pens studied, than conventional forensic investigative techniques involving the luminescence imaging of writing using filtered light.

Studying Protein Binding to Conjugated Gold Nanospheres; Application of Mie Light Scattering to Reaction Kinetics

The study of protein interactions is an area of much interest, particularly towards obtaining more detailed information about biological processes. Current methods involve the use of complicated, specialised techniques which are beyond the scope of most laboratories. Here, we show how information about the binding of proteins to conjugated gold nanospheres can be obtained using straightforward experimental techniques. A Perkin Elmer LS 55 luminescence spectrometer was used to observe the changes in light scattering caused by the binding of complementary proteins to conjugated nanoparticles, measured by the intensity change over time. Mie theory simulations have been used to predict the expected observations and to quantify the changes in intensity as a function of surface coverage. Further kinetic studies have been carried out at 530 nm to obtain more detailed information about the processes involved in the binding reaction. Thus, we have demonstrated that the interaction of proteins can be studied using a straightforward method which provides information about surface coverage and reaction kinetics.

Antibiotic Overproduction in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) Mediated by Phosphofructokinase Deletion

Streptomycetes are exploited for production of a wide range of secondary metabolites, and there is much interest in enhancing the level of production of these metabolites. Secondary metabolites are synthesized in dedicated biosynthetic routes, but precursors and co-factors are derived from the primary metabolism. High level production of antibiotics in streptomycetes therefore requires engineering of the primary metabolism. Here we demonstrate this by targeting a key enzyme in glycolysis, phosphofructokinase, leading to improved antibiotic production in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Deletion of pfkA2 (SCO5426), one of three annotated pfkA homologues in S. coelicolor A3(2), resulted in a higher production of the pigmented antibiotics actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin. The pfkA2 deletion strain had an increased carbon flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, as measured by (13)C metabolic flux analysis, establishing the ATP-dependent PfkA2 as a key player in determining the carbon flux distribution. The increased pentose phosphate pathway flux appeared largely because of accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate, as experimentally observed in the mutant strain. Through genome-scale metabolic model simulations, we predicted that decreased phosphofructokinase activity leads to an increase in pentose phosphate pathway flux and in flux to pigmented antibiotics and pyruvate. Integrated analysis of gene expression data using a genome-scale metabolic model further revealed transcriptional changes in genes encoding redox co-factor-dependent enzymes as well as those encoding pentose phosphate pathway enzymes and enzymes involved in storage carbohydrate biosynthesis.

Enhanced the Performance of Fluorescence Gas Sensor of Porphyrin Dye by Using TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles

Fluorescence gas sensor was developed to identify the presence of volatile organic compounds by using porphyrin dye thin film. The porphyrin dye used was iron (III) meso-tetraphenylporphine chloride. The porphyrin thin film was deposited on quartz substrate using self-assembly through dip coating technique. The sensing properties of the thin films toward volatile organic compounds; ethanol, acetone and 2-propanol were studied using luminescence spectrometer. In presence of air and volatile organic compounds, thin films produced different emission spectra and ease for chemical identification process. To improved the sensing performance, TiO2 nanoparticles colloid were prepared, coated with porphyrin dye and deposited as thin film. It was found that the thin film of TiO2 nanoparticles coated with porphyrin dye has more intensive interaction toward volatile organic compounds than porphyrin thin film, and improved the selective property. This may be due to the nanostructured thin film provided more surface area for dye molecules to react with VOCs.

Function and Subunit Interactions of the N-terminal Domain of Subunit a (Vph1p) of the Yeast V-ATPase

The vacuolar (H+)-ATPases (V-ATPases) are ATP-dependent proton pumps that operate by a rotary mechanism in which ATP hydrolysis drives rotation of a ring of proteolipid subunits relative to subunit a within the integral V(0) domain. In vivo dissociation of the V-ATPase (an important regulatory mechanism) generates a V(0) domain that does not passively conduct protons. EM analysis indicates that the N-terminal domain of subunit a approaches the rotary subunits in free V(0), suggesting a possible mechanism of silencing passive proton transport. To test the hypothesis that the N-terminal domain inhibits passive proton flux by preventing rotation of the proteolipid ring in free V(0), factor Xa cleavage sites were introduced between the N- and C-terminal domains of subunit a (the Vph1p isoform in yeast) to allow its removal in vitro after isolation of vacuolar membranes. The mutant Vph1p gave rise to a partially uncoupled V-ATPase complex. Cleavage with factor Xa led to further loss of coupling of proton transport and ATP hydrolysis. Removal of the N-terminal domain by cleavage with factor Xa and treatment with KNO3 and MgATP did not, however, lead to an increase in passive proton conductance by free V(0), suggesting that removal of the N-terminal domain is not sufficient to facilitate passive proton conductance through V(0). Photoactivated cross-linking using the cysteine reagent maleimido benzophenone and single cysteine mutants of subunit a demonstrated the proximity of specific sites within the N-terminal domain and subunits E and G of the peripheral stalk. These results suggest that a localized region of the N-terminal domain (residues 347-369) is important in anchoring the peripheral stator in V1V0.

Hydrogen peroxide is involved in high blue light-induced chloroplast avoidance movements in Arabidopsis

One of the most important functions of blue light (BL) is to induce chloroplast movements in order to reduce the damage to the photosynthetic machinery under excess light. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), which is commonly generated under various environmental stimuli, can act as a signalling molecule that regulates a number of developmental processes and stress responses. To investigate whether H(2)O(2) is involved in high-fluence BL-induced chloroplast avoidance movements, a laser scanning confocal microscope and a luminescence spectrometer were used to observe H(2)O(2) generation in situ with the assistance of the fluorescence probe dichlorofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCF-DA). After treatment with high-fluence BL, an enhanced accumulation of H(2)O(2), indicated by the fluorescence intensity of DCF, can be observed in leaf cells of Arabidopsis thaliana. Exogenously applied H(2)O(2) promotes the high-fluence BL-induced chloroplast movements in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of 0-10(-4) M, not only increasing the degree of movements but also accelerating the start of migrations. Moreover, the high-fluence BL-induced H(2)O(2) generation and the subsequent chloroplast movements can be largely abolished by the administration of the H(2)O(2)-specific scavenger catalase and other antioxidants. In addition, in-depth subcellular experiments indicated that high-fluence BL-induced H(2)O(2) generation can be partly abolished by the addition of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), which is an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, and the blocker of electron transport chain dichlorophenyl dimethylurea (DCMU), respectively. The results presented here suggest that high-fluence BL can induce H(2)O(2) generation at both the plasma membrane and the chloroplast, and that the production of H(2)O(2) is involved in high-fluence BL-induced chloroplast avoidance movements.

Molecular Features Governing the Stability and Specificity of Functional Complex Formation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP-10/ESAT-6 Family Proteins

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex CFP-10/ESAT-6 family proteins play essential but poorly defined roles in tuberculosis pathogenesis. In this article we report the results of detailed spectroscopic studies of several members of the CFP-10/ESAT-6 family. This work shows that the CFP-10/ESAT-6 related proteins, Rv0287 and Rv0288, form a tight 1:1 complex, which is predominantly helical in structure and is predicted to closely resemble the complex formed by CFP-10 and ESAT-6. In addition, the Rv0287.Rv0288 complex was found to be significantly more stable to both chemical and temperature induced denaturation than CFP-10.ESAT-6. This approach demonstrated that neither Rv0287.Rv0288 nor the CFP-10.ESAT-6 complexes are destabilized at low pH (4.5), indicating that even in low pH environments, such as the mature phagosome, both Rv0287.Rv0288 and CFP-10.ESAT-6 undoubtedly function as complexes rather than individual proteins. Analysis of the structure of the CFP-10.ESAT-6 complex and optimized amino acid sequence alignments of M. tuberculosis CFP-10/ESAT-6 family proteins revealed that residues involved in the intramolecular contacts between helices are conserved across the CFP-10/ESAT-6 family, but not those involved in primarily intermolecular contacts. This analysis identified the molecular basis for the specificity and stability of complex formation between CFP-10/ESAT-6 family proteins, and indicates that the formation of functional complexes with key roles in pathogenesis will be limited to genome partners, or very closely related family members, such as Rv0287/Rv0288 and Rv3019c/Rv3020c.

Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence of YVO4:Sm3+ thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition method with various substrates

YVO4:Sm3+ films have been deposited on different substrates using pulsed laser deposition method. The films were deposited on fused silica, MgO(100), Al2O3(0001), and Si(100) substrates. The crystallinity and surface morphology of the films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The films grown on the different substrates have different crystallinity and morphology. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of (200) peak are 0.20, 0.14, 0.12, and 0.18° for fused silica, MgO(100), Al2O3(0001), and Si(100), respectively. The crystallite size, estimated by using Scherrer’s formula, of phosphors grown on fused silica, MgO(100), Al2O3(0001), and Si(100) was about 7.25, 10.08, 11.88, and 8.14 nm, respectively and it has a maximum at 11.88 nm for the thin film grown on Al2O3(0001). The photoluminescence and the cathodoluminescence spectra were measured at room temperature using a luminescence spectrometer and the emitted radiation was dominated by the red emission peak at 602 nm radiated from the transition of 4G5/2→6H7/2. YVO4:Sm3+ films have maximum PL intensity for the films grown on the Al2O3(0001) substrate and the brightness of the films were higher 1.3, 2.9, and 5.0 times in comparison with that of the YVO4:Sm3+ films grown on MgO(100), fused silica, and Si (100) substrates, respectively. The crystallinity, surface morphology and luminescence spectra of thin-film phosphors were highly dependent on substrates.

Structural Basis for Ubiquitin Recognition by the Otu1 Ovarian Tumor Domain Protein

Ubiquitination of proteins modifies protein function by either altering their activities, promoting their degradation, or altering their subcellular localization. Deubiquitinating enzymes are proteases that reverse this ubiquitination. Previous studies demonstrate that proteins that contain an ovarian tumor (OTU) domain possess deubiquitinating activity. This domain of approximately 130 amino acids is weakly similar to the papain family of proteases and is highly conserved from yeast to mammals. Here we report structural and functional studies on the OTU domain-containing protein from yeast, Otu1. We show that Otu1 binds polyubiquitin chain analogs more tightly than monoubiquitin and preferentially hydrolyzes longer polyubiquitin chains with Lys(48) linkages, having little or no activity on Lys(63)- and Lys(29)-linked chains. We also show that Otu1 interacts with Cdc48, a regulator of the ER-associated degradation pathway. We also report the x-ray crystal structure of the OTU domain of Otu1 covalently complexed with ubiquitin and carry out structure-guided mutagenesis revealing a novel mode of ubiquitin recognition and a variation on the papain protease catalytic site configuration that appears to be conserved within the OTU family of ubiquitin hydrolases. Together, these studies provide new insights into ubiquitin binding and hydrolysis by yeast Otu1 and other OTU domain-containing proteins.

Human α-Defensins Inhibit Clostridium difficile Toxin B

Clostridium difficile toxins A and B are major virulence factors implicated in pseudomembranous colitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The toxins are glucosyltransferases, which inactivate Rho proteins involved in cellular signaling. Human alpha-defensins as part of the innate immune system inactivate various microbial pathogens as well as specific bacterial exotoxins. Here, we studied the effects of alpha-defensins human neutrophil protein (HNP)-1, HNP-3, and enteric human defensin (HD)-5 on the activity of C difficile toxins A and B. Inactivation of C difficile toxins by alpha-defensins in vivo was monitored by microscopy, determination of the transepithelial resistance of CaCo-2 cell monolayers, and analysis of the glucosylation of Rac1 in toxin-treated cells. In vitro glucosylation was used to determine K(m) and median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values. Formation of defensin-toxin complexes was analyzed by precipitation and turbidity studies. Treatment of cells with human alpha-defensins caused loss of cytotoxicity of toxin B, but not of toxin A. Only alpha-defensins, but not beta-defensin-1 or cathelicidin LL-37, inhibited toxin B-catalyzed in vitro glucosylation of Rho guanosine triphosphatases in a competitive manner, increasing K(m) values for uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose up to 10-fold. The IC(50) values for inhibition of toxin B-catalyzed glucosylation by the alpha-defensins were 0.6-1.5 micromol/L. At high concentrations, defensins (HNP-1 > or = 2 micromol/L) caused high-molecular-mass aggregates, comparable to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen and lethal factor. Our data indicate that toxin B interacts with high affinity with alpha-defensins and suggest that defensins may provide a defense mechanism against some types of clostridial glucosylating cytotoxins.

BIM and tBID Are Not Mechanistically Equivalent When Assisting BAX to Permeabilize Bilayer Membranes

BIM and tBID are two BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only proteins with a particularly strong capacity to trigger BAX-driven mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, a crucial event in mammalian apoptosis. However, the means whereby BIM and tBID fulfill this task is controversial. Here, we used a reconstituted liposomal system bearing physiological relevance to explore systematically how the BAX-permeabilizing function is influenced by interactions of BIM/BID-derived proteins and BH3 motifs with multidomain BCL-2 family members and with membrane lipids. We found that nanomolar dosing of BIM proteins sufficed to reverse completely the inhibition of BAX permeabilizing activity exerted by all antiapoptotic proteins tested (BCL-2, BCL-X(L), BCL-W, MCL-1, and A1). This effect was reproducible by a peptide representing the BH3 motif of BIM, whereas an equivalent BID BH3 peptide was less potent and more selective, reversing antiapoptotic inhibition. On the other hand, in the absence of BCL-2-type proteins, BIM proteins and the BIM BH3 peptide were inefficient, directly triggering the BAX-permeabilizing function. In contrast, tBID alone potently assisted BAX to permeabilize membranes at least in part by producing a structural distortion in the lipid bilayer via BH3-independent interaction of tBID with cardiolipin. Together, these results support the notion that BIM and tBID follow different strategies to trigger BAX-driven mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization with strong potency.

Dynamics of Trigger Factor Interaction with Translating Ribosomes

In all organisms ribosome-associated chaperones assist early steps of protein folding. To elucidate the mechanism of their action, we determined the kinetics of individual steps of the ribosome binding/release cycle of bacterial trigger factor (TF), using fluorescently labeled chaperone and ribosome-nascent chain complexes. Both the association and dissociation rates of TF-ribosome complexes are modulated by nascent chains, whereby their length, sequence, and folding status are influencing parameters. However, the effect of the folding status is modest, indicating that TF can bind small globular domains and accommodate them within its substrate binding cavity. In general, the presence of a nascent chain causes an up to 9-fold increase in the rate of TF association, which provides a kinetic explanation for the observed ability of TF to efficiently compete with other cytosolic chaperones for binding to nascent chains. Furthermore, a subset of longer nascent polypeptides promotes the stabilization of TF-ribosome complexes, which increases the half-life of these complexes from 15 to 50 s. Nascent chains thus regulate their folding environment generated by ribosome-associated chaperones.

Preparation and luminescent properties of CaTiO3: Pr3+, Al3+ persistent phosphors by nitrate-citric acid combustion method

Using citric acid as reducing agent and fuel, nitrate as a oxidant, boric acid as a flux material, red persistent phosphors CaTiO3: Pr3+, Al3+ have been successfully synthesized by nitrate-citric acid combustion method. The best route is determined by studying influences of the amount of citric acid and ammonium nitrate, pH value of the solution, initiating temperature of furnace, and the amount of boric acid. The photoluminescence and crystallinity of persistent phosphors were investigated by using luminescence spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer (XRD), respectively. The results show that the optimum molar ratio of citric acid to calcium nitrate was about 0.8 and that of boric acid to calcium nitrate was about 0.4. Photoluminescence and decay curves show that the samples exhibited the optimal luminous properties at pH value of 6 and at the initiating temperature of 700 °C.

Leptin Protects against 6-Hydroxydopamine-induced Dopaminergic Cell Death via Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling

The death of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in sporadic Parkinson disease is of unknown etiology but may involve altered growth factor signaling. The present study showed that leptin, a centrally acting hormone secreted by adipocytes, rescued dopaminergic neurons, reversed behavioral asymmetry, and restored striatal catecholamine levels in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mouse model of dopaminergic cell death. In vitro studies using the murine dopaminergic cell line MN9D showed that leptin attenuated 6-OHDA-induced apoptotic markers, including caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and cytochrome c release. ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK1/2) was found to be critical for mediating leptin-induced neuroprotection, because inhibition of the MEK pathway blocked both the pERK1/2 response and the pro-survival effect of leptin in cultures. Knockdown of the downstream messengers JAK2 or GRB2 precluded leptin-induced pERK1/2 activation and neuroprotection. Leptin/pERK1/2 signaling involved phosphorylation and nuclear localization of CREB (pCREB), a well known survival factor for dopaminergic neurons. Leptin induced a marked MEK-dependent increase in pCREB that was essential for neuroprotection following 6-OHDA toxicity. Transfection of a dominant negative MEK protein abolished leptin-enhanced pCREB formation, whereas a dominant negative CREB or decoy oligonucleotide diminished both pCREB binding to its target DNA sequence and MN9D survival against 6-OHDA toxicity. Moreover, in the substantia nigra of mice, leptin treatment increased the levels of pERK1/2, pCREB, and the downstream gene product BDNF, which were reversed by the MEK inhibitor PD98059. Collectively, these data provide evidence that leptin prevents the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons by 6-OHDA and may prove useful in the treatment of Parkinson disease.

Efficiency enhancement by aluminum addition to CaTiO3:Pr3+ phosphor thin films

The mechanism of enhancement of the red emission efficiency from CaTiO3:Pr3+ thin film by Al addition has been investigated. Al-ions have been attracting interest as a sensitizer to improve the luminescent efficiency of phosphors. Also, influence of Al-doping on the crystallization, surface morphology and luminescent properties of CaTiO3:Pr3+ thin films have been discussed. CaTiO3:Pr3+ and Al-doped CaTiO3:Pr3+ films were grown using pulsed laser deposition technique on Al2O3 (0001) substrates under different substrate temperatures and oxygen pressures. The crystalline phase and surface morphology of the films were very dependent on the oxygen pressure and substrate temperature and they affected the luminescent brightness of the films. The crystalline structure and microstructure of these films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy and their luminescent properties have been evaluated at room temperature using a luminescence spectrometer and excitation by a broadband incoherent ultraviolet light source with a dominant excitation wavelength of 325 nm. In particular, the incorporation of Al3+ ions into CaTiO3 lattice could induce a remarkable increase of photoluminescence. The enhancement of luminescence for Al-doped films may result not only from the improved crystallinity but also from the reduced internal reflections caused by rougher surfaces. Also, the luminescent intensity and surface roughness of the films exhibited similar behavior as a function of oxygen pressure.