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Formation of self-affine nanostructures on ZnO surfaces by swift heavy ions

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2953177· OSTI ID:21137405
 [1];  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]
  1. R.B.S. College, Agra-282002 (India)
  2. Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi-110067 (India)

The topography evolution using the high energy heavy ion irradiation revealed the fact that ion bombardment produces self-affine nanostructures, creating peculiar surface morphologies and regular structures on the surface of the ZnO thin film at certain fluences. The self-affine nanopatterns produced on the surface of ZnO thin film under swift heavy ion irradiation are different types of nanostructures such as nanodimensional grains aligned like a linear array. Scanning probe microscopy is used for investigating the ZnO surfaces and UV-visible spectroscopy for studying the effect of surface modification on optical properties. The two-dimensional power spectral density of the irradiated ZnO thin films have been evaluated for each image to extract the value of growth factor ({beta}) and roughness exponent ({alpha}). The exponent n increases from 2.2 to 4.0 up to a critical value of fluence and beyond which it decreases. These values suggest that ion assisted/induced diffusion process plays a crucial role in the evolution of self-affine nanostructures on ZnO surface.

OSTI ID:
21137405
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 104; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English