KeV Argon Ions Beam Irradiation Induced Changes in Optical Properties of Ni-NWs

This contribution reports on KeV argon (Ar+) ions beam irradiation-induced changes in optical properties of nickel nanowires (Ni-NWs) networks. Optical properties of Ni-NWs networks are studied systematically before and after... [ view full abstract ]

This contribution reports on KeV argon (Ar⁺) ions beam irradiation-induced changes in optical properties of nickel nanowires (Ni-NWs) networks. Optical properties of Ni-NWs networks are studied systematically before and after irradiating at different fluencies of Ar⁺ ions ranging from 7x10¹⁴ to 3x10¹⁶ ions/cm² at room temperature. The variation in optical properties of Ni-NWs networks is discussed after analysis of Ni-NWs networks using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Moreover, optical characterization of these networks has been done using UV-VIS spectroscopy. Ni-NWs networks are found to be optically transparent and optical transparency is enhanced with increase in beam fluence of Ar⁺ ions. The observed increase in optical transparency is thought to be due to Ar⁺ ions beam induced sputtering of atoms from Ni-NWs lattices due to collision cascade of atomic displacements, which causes reduction of diameters of Ni-NWs and increase spaces between Ni-NWs in the network. Ion beam technology is therefore a promising approach that is capable of fabricating highly transparent Ni-NWs networks for transparent electrodes. Moreover, a method for thinning, slicing and cutting of Ni-NWs using ion beam technology is also discussed.