Optical and structural behaviour of Mn implanted sapphire

Sapphire single crystals were implanted at room temperature with 180 keV manganese ions to fluences up to 1.8 × 1017 cm−2. The samples were annealed at 1000 °C in oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. Surface damage was observed after implantation of low fluences, the amorphous phase being observed after implantation of 5 × 1016 cm−2, as seen by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy under channelling conditions. Thermal treatments in air annealed most of the implantation related defects and promoted the redistribution of the manganese ions, in a mixed oxide phase. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence of MnAl2O4. On the contrary, similar heat treatments in vacuum led to enhanced out diffusion of Mn while the matrix remained highly damaged. The analysis of laser induced luminescence performed after implantation showed the presence of an intense red emission.