Effect of embedded lithium nanoclusters on structural, optical and electrical characteristics of MgO thin films

Energetic 1.5 MeV Li+ irradiation on MgO thin film surfaces for fluences 1013, 1014 and 1015 ions/cm2 led to radiation damage that altered the grain size from 29 to 9 nm and the internal stress. Optical absorption bands at 5.0, 3.49, 2.16 and 1.27 eV revealed, respectively, the presence of, oxygen vacancies, anion divacancies and trapped-hole centers. DC electrical conductivity of was increased by three orders of magnitude at room temperature as the fluence was increased to 1015 ions/cm2.