A method for preparing polycrystalline or single-crystal zinc oxide ZnO on a seed placed in an enclosure under a controlled atmosphere, by sublimation of a zinc oxide source placed in a crucible inside the enclosure and distant from the seed, by forming the gas species, transporting the gas species, condensing the gas species on the seed, recombinating the ZnO at the surface of the seed, growth of polycrystalline or single-crystal ZnO on the seed, and cooling of the polycrystalline or single-crystal ZnO, the method comprising:
- heating the zinc oxide source by induction to a temperature, a so-called sublimation temperature from 900 to 1,400° C. under a pressure of 2.10−3 atmospheres to 0.9 atmospheres;
- generating CO in situ as a sublimation activator by providing at least one oxidizing species, or a mixture of at least one oxidizing species and of at least one inert gas, on a solid carbon source placed inside the enclosure;
- and
- controlling the stoichiometry of ZnO by achieving a localized supply with a controlled flow rate in an amount from 1 SCCM to 100 SCCM, of at least one oxidizing species, or of a mixture of at least one oxidizing species and of at least one inert gas, in the vicinity of a growth interface of the ZnO.