2 MeV PROTON IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON ZnO SINGLE CRYSTAL

Melt grown ZnO single crystal was irradiated with varying fluence of 2 MeV proton beam in the range of 1 × 1016H+/cm2 to 5 × 1017H+/cm2. The irradiated spots exhibited varying degree of discoloration due to the irradiation indicating surface and volume defects. The surface roughness of the irradiated spots was measured using atomic force microscopy indicating surface modification of the sample. The extent of the damage on the ZnO single crystal from radiation was assessed using Raman spectroscopy. The emergence of the A1(LO) band at 579 cm-1 pointed to the significant surface alteration in the ZnO crystal due to proton bombardment.