Low energy ion irradiation effects in MgO: Optical property study

Abstract

Irradiation of MgO pellets with ion beams results in the formation of vacancies and their aggregates. The irradiated MgO pellets are characterized by optical absorption and photoluminescence studies. 100 keV helium ion irradiation of MgO pellets results in the formation of F or F⁺ defects, F₂²⁺ defects, and F₂ type defects. When irradiated with 100 keV oxygen ion beam, surface oxygen vacancies and F₂²⁺ defects are formed in the MgO lattice. Various PL emission peaks occur in the irradiated sample and in particular, emissions at 3.1 eV and 2.79 eV are found to be related to oxygen vacancies created by ion irradiation in the MgO target. The surface morphology of the irradiated samples is investigated with scanning electron microscopy.