The effects of implantation of Samarium ions (Sm+), a rare earth ion (RE) on the properties of ZnO films grown on Si (001) substrate by RF
sputtering system are presented. The structural properties of the virgin and Sm–implanted ZnO thin films were investigated by Atomic force
microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Local lattice softening caused by the incorporation of highly
mismatched Sm+ (ionic radii 0.096 nm and 0.113 nm for Sm3+ and Sm2+ respectively) into Zn antisites was detected as a red shift in E2 (high)
mode likely caused by reduction in the crystallinity of the ZnO film. Photoluminescence on the pristine ZnO film showed a strong near band
gap (NBE) emission and an intrinsic defect related blue, green-orange emission. The NBE is suppressed after implantation of Sm+ while the
blue, green – orange emission intensities are enhanced as a result of increased structural defects with mismatched charge states. Moreover the
effect of varying the concentration of Sm+ ions is presented and compared with predictions made from Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter
(SRIM) calculation.The University of the Witwatersrand,
Material Physics Research Institute, School of Physics;
the XRD and MMU facilities at Wits, NRF and Material Energy
Research Group (MERG).https://aip.scitation.org/journal/advam2020Physic
