Ion-beam-induced nanodots formation from Au/Si thin films on quartz surface

Abstract

We report the synthesis of Si nanodots on quartz surface using ion irradiation. When a bi-layer of ultrathin Au and Si on quartz surface is irradiated by 500keV Xe-ion beam, the bi-layer spontaneously transforms into nanodots at a fluence of 5×1014ionscm−2. The spatial density and diameter of the nanodots are reduced with increase in applied ion fluence. The nanostructures exhibit photoluminescence in the visible range at room temperature where the intensity and wavelength depends upon ion fluence. The observed evolution seems to be correlated to ion beam mixing induced silicide formation at Au–Si interface.