TY - JOUR

T1 - Features of the Cluster-Ion Treatment of the Surface of a KGd(WO4)2:Nd Single Crystal

AU - Николаев, Иван Владимирович

AU - Коробейщиков, Николай Геннадьевич

N1 - The study was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 21-19-00046) in terms of sample preparation and treatment, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (grant FSUS-2020-0039) in terms of sample analysis using equipment of the Center for Collective Use “Applied Physics” of Novosibirsk State University.

PY - 2024/4

Y1 - 2024/4

N2 - The features of the surface treatment of potassium-gadolinium-tungstate single crystals doped with neodymium ions by low- and high-energy argon cluster ions are considered. Two radically different treatment modes are employed: the low-energy mode for more efficient smoothing of the surface and high-energy for more effective etching of the target. The topography of the target surface is analyzed before and after cluster-ion treatment using atomic force microscopy. It is shown that treatment in the low-energy mode smoothes out irregularities on the target surface formed by chemical and mechanical polishing at an etching depth of less than 100 nm. A comparison is made of the root-mean-square roughness and total roughness of the initial and treated surfaces of potassium-gadolinium tungstate doped with neodymium ions. Survey X-ray photoelectron spectra of the initial surface of a KGd(WO4)2:Nd single crystal and after cluster-ion treatment in various modes are presented. It is demonstrated that the intensities of the potassium and gadolinium peaks decrease after cluster-ion treatment in both modes. A significant decrease in the concentration of potassium atoms in the surface layer of the target is explained by the preferential sputtering of potassium as a lighter chemical element. The mutual decrease in the concentrations of gadolinium and potassium atoms can be explained by the weak bonds of these atoms in the lattice of the KGd(WO4)2:Nd single crystal.

AB - The features of the surface treatment of potassium-gadolinium-tungstate single crystals doped with neodymium ions by low- and high-energy argon cluster ions are considered. Two radically different treatment modes are employed: the low-energy mode for more efficient smoothing of the surface and high-energy for more effective etching of the target. The topography of the target surface is analyzed before and after cluster-ion treatment using atomic force microscopy. It is shown that treatment in the low-energy mode smoothes out irregularities on the target surface formed by chemical and mechanical polishing at an etching depth of less than 100 nm. A comparison is made of the root-mean-square roughness and total roughness of the initial and treated surfaces of potassium-gadolinium tungstate doped with neodymium ions. Survey X-ray photoelectron spectra of the initial surface of a KGd(WO4)2:Nd single crystal and after cluster-ion treatment in various modes are presented. It is demonstrated that the intensities of the potassium and gadolinium peaks decrease after cluster-ion treatment in both modes. A significant decrease in the concentration of potassium atoms in the surface layer of the target is explained by the preferential sputtering of potassium as a lighter chemical element. The mutual decrease in the concentrations of gadolinium and potassium atoms can be explained by the weak bonds of these atoms in the lattice of the KGd(WO4)2:Nd single crystal.

KW - KGd(WO4)2:Nd single crystal

KW - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

KW - atomic force microscopy

KW - cluster-ion beam

KW - elemental composition

KW - gas cluster

KW - surface morphology

KW - surface roughness

KW - surface sputtering

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85192264362&origin=inward&txGid=085a170d6e6fde1a15b0ab6cef4c85c8

UR - https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=67311755

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/95e82f93-8485-3290-8e27-e1ad983ecbd8/

U2 - 10.1134/S1027451024020137

DO - 10.1134/S1027451024020137

M3 - Article

VL - 18

SP - 313

EP - 317

JO - Journal of Surface Investigation

JF - Journal of Surface Investigation

SN - 1027-4510

IS - 2

ER -