Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry fragment regularity in gallium-doped zinc oxide thin films

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry fragment analysis remains a challenging task. The fragment appearance regularity (FAR) rule is particularly useful for two-element compounds such as ZnO. Ion fragments appearing in the form of Zn(x)O(y) obey the rule [Formula: see text] in the positive secondary ion spectrum and [Formula: see text] in the negative spectrum where the valence of Zn is + 2 and that of O is − 2. Fragment analysis in gallium-doped ZnO (GZO) films can give insights into the bonding of the elements in this important semiconductor. Fragment analysis of 1 and 7 wt% GZO films shows that only the negative ion fragments obey the FAR rule where ZnO(‒), (66)ZnO(‒), (68)ZnO(‒) and ZnO(2)(‒) ion fragments appear. In the positive polarity, subdued peaks from out-of-the-rule ZnO(+), (66)ZnO(+) and (68)ZnO(+) ion fragments are observed. The Ga ion peaks are present in both the positive and negative spectra. The secondary ion spectra of undoped ZnO also shows consistency with the FAR rule. This implies that Ga doping even in amounts that exceed the ZnO lattice limit of solubility does not affect the compliance with the FAR rule.