100 MeV Ni+7 swift heavy ion induced magnetism in cobalt doped ZnO thin films

Abstract

Zn0.90Co0.10O thin films were prepared using Sol-Gel spin coating method. Films were irradiated with 100 MeV Ni+7 Swift Heavy Ions (SHI) with fluences 1× 1013 ions/cm2 using 15 UD tandem accelerator at IUAC New Delhi and its effect were studied on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of irradiated thin films. X-ray diffraction studies show single phase films with preferred c-axis orientation after irradiation. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy shows red shift in the band gap of irradiated thin films. Magnetic field dependence of magnetization reveals weak ferromagnetism in irradiated thin films. AFM studies shows significant increase in the grain size and the surface roughness of the films after irradiation.