Ion irradiation induced nano pattern formation on TiO2 single crystal

Nanodots have been fabricated on rutile TiO₂(1 1 0) single crystals using Ar ion beam. Ion beam sputtering creates oxygen vacancies, leading to a 45 nm thick Ti rich layer, on the surface. Post-sputtering, rutile TiO₂ also exhibits a decrease in the inter planar separation along 1 1 0] direction. Additionally, blueshift in the E_g Raman mode, representing the vibrations of oxygen atoms along c-axis, is also observed. Both these results suggest the development of a compressive stress along c-axis upon sputtering. Enhancement in intensity of A_1g Raman mode also indicates modification in TiO vibrational influence.