Abstract
The ~1540 nm Er$^{3+}$ photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of Er-implanted Mg-codoped GaN (GaN:Er+Mg) exhibit that the excitation efficiency of a specific Er$^{3+}$ center among different Er$^{3+}$ centers existing in Er-implanted GaN is selectively enhanced, compared to Er-implanted undoped GaN (GaN:Er). In GaN:Er+Mg, the 1540 nm PL peaks characteristic of the so-called "violet-pumped" Er$^{3+}$ center and the ~2.8-3.4 eV (violet) PLE band are significantly strengthened by the Mg-doping. The intra-f absorption PLE bands associated with this "violet-pumped" center are also enhanced by this doping. The 1540 nm PL peaks originating from the violet-pumped center dominate the above-gap-excited Er$^{3+}$ PL spectrum of GaN:Er+Mg, whereas it was unobservable under above-gap excitation in GaN:Er. All of these results indicate that Mg doping increases the efficiency of trap-mediated excitation of Er$^{3+}$ emission in Er-implanted GaN.planted GaN.