Swift heavy ion

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Swift heavy ions are the components of a type of particle beam with high enough energy that electronic stopping dominates over nuclear stopping. [1] [2] They are accelerated in particle accelerators to very high energies, typically in the MeV or GeV range and have sufficient energy and mass to penetrate solids on a straight line. In many solids swift heavy ions release sufficient energy to induce permanently modified cylindrical zones, so-called ion tracks. If the irradiation is carried out in an initially crystalline material, ion tracks consist of an amorphous cylinder. [1] Ion tracks can be produced in many amorphizing materials, but not in pure metals, where the high electronic heat conductivity dissipates away the electronic heating before the ion track has time to form.

Contents

Definition

Heavy ion beams are generally described in terms of their energy in Mega electron volts (MeV) divided by the mass of the atomic nucleus, written "MeV/u". In order for an ion beam to be considered "swift", the constituent ions should be carbon or heavier, and the energy such that the beam particles have a velocity comparable to the Bohr velocity. [3]

Ion track formation

Time evolution of a Molecular Dynamics simulation of a swift heavy ion track in crystalline quartz, producing a cylindrical amorphous track in the material. Image size 17 nm x 13 nm. Swift heavy ion track evolution quartz MD.jpg
Time evolution of a Molecular Dynamics simulation of a swift heavy ion track in crystalline quartz, producing a cylindrical amorphous track in the material. Image size 17 nm × 13 nm.

The mechanisms by which ion tracks are produced are subject to some debate. They can be considered to produce thermal spikes [4] [5] in the sense that they lead to strong lattice heating and a transient disordered atom zone. However, at least the initial stage of the damage might be better understood in terms of a Coulomb explosion mechanism. [6] Regardless of what the heating mechanism is, it is well established that swift heavy ions typically produce a long cylindrical track of damage in insulators, [1] [4] which has been shown to be underdense in the middle, at least in SiO2. [7] [8]

Applications

Swift heavy ion tracks have several established and potential practical applications. Ion tracks in polymers can be etched to form a nanometer-thin channel through a polymer foil, so called track etch membranes. These are in industrial use. [9]

Irradiation of polyimide resists have potential to be used as templates for nanowire growth. [10] Tracks can also be used to sputter materials. [11] [12] They can also be used to elongate nanocrystals embedded in materials. [13] [14] [15] SHI irradiation can also be used for structural modification of nanomaterials. [16] [17]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallium antimonide</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollow atoms</span> Type of atom

Hollow Atoms are short-lived multiply excited neutral atoms which carry a large part of their Z electrons in high-n levels while inner shells remain (transiently) empty. The hollow atoms are exotic atomic species whose all, or most, electrons lie in excited states, while the innermost shells are empty. These atomic species were first observed during the interaction of highly charged ions with surfaces. population inversion arises for typically 100 femtoseconds during the interaction of a slow highly charged ion (HCI) with a solid surface.
Despite this limited lifetime, the formation and decay of a hollow atom can be conveniently studied from ejected electrons and soft X-rays, and the trajectories, energy loss and final charge state distribution of surface-scattered projectiles. For impact on insulator surfaces the potential energy contained by hollow atom may also cause the release of target atoms and -ions via potential sputtering and the formation of nanostructures on a surface.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ion track</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">MIAMI Facilities</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Magnetic Focus Ion Source</span>

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Kanjijal, D. (2001). "Swift heavy ion-induced modification and track formation in materials" (DjVu). Current Science. 80 (12): 1560.
  2. ↑ M. Toulemonde, W. Assmann, C. Dufour, A. Meftah, F. Studer, and C. Trautmann, Experimental phenomena and thermal spike model description of ion tracks in amorphisable inorganic insulators, Mat. Fys. Medd. Kong. Dan. Vid. Selsk. 52, 263 (2006).
  3. ↑ Lang, Maik; Djurabekova, Flyura; Medvedev, Nikita; Toulemonde, Marcel; Trautmann, Christina (2020). "Fundamental Phenomena and Applications of Swift Heavy Ion Irradiations". Comprehensive Nuclear Materials: 485–516. arXiv: 2001.03711 . doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.11644-3. hdl:10138/318033. ISBN   9780081028667. S2CID   210165042.
  4. 1 2 Meftah, A.; Brisard, F.; Costantini, J. M.; Dooryhee, E.; Hage-Ali, M.; Hervieu, M.; Stoquert, J. P.; Studer, F.; Toulemonde, M. (1 April 1994). "Track formation in SiO2 quartz and the thermal-spike mechanism". Physical Review B. American Physical Society (APS). 49 (18): 12457–12463. Bibcode:1994PhRvB..4912457M. doi:10.1103/physrevb.49.12457. ISSN   0163-1829. PMID   10010146.
  5. ↑ Trautmann, C.; Klaumünzer, S.; Trinkaus, H. (23 October 2000). "Effect of Stress on Track Formation in Amorphous Iron Boron Alloy: Ion Tracks as Elastic Inclusions" (PDF). Physical Review Letters. American Physical Society (APS). 85 (17): 3648–3651. Bibcode:2000PhRvL..85.3648T. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.85.3648. ISSN   0031-9007. PMID   11030972.
  6. ↑ Bringa, E. M.; Johnson, R. E. (4 April 2002). "Coulomb Explosion and Thermal Spikes". Physical Review Letters. American Physical Society (APS). 88 (16): 165501. arXiv: cond-mat/0103475 . Bibcode:2002PhRvL..88p5501B. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.88.165501. ISSN   0031-9007. PMID   11955237. S2CID   11034531.
  7. ↑ Kluth, P.; Schnohr, C. S.; Pakarinen, O. H.; Djurabekova, F.; Sprouster, D. J.; Giulian, R.; Ridgway, M. C.; Byrne, A. P.; Trautmann, C.; Cookson, D. J.; Nordlund, K.; Toulemonde, M. (24 October 2008). "Fine Structure in Swift Heavy Ion Tracks in AmorphousSiO2". Physical Review Letters. American Physical Society (APS). 101 (17): 175503. Bibcode:2008PhRvL.101q5503K. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.101.175503. hdl: 10440/862 . ISSN   0031-9007. PMID   18999762.
  8. ↑ Kaniukov, E Yu; Ustarroz, J; Yakimchuk, D V; Petrova, M; Terryn, H; Sivakov, V; Petrov, A V (15 February 2016). "Tunable nanoporous silicon oxide templates by swift heavy ion tracks technology". Nanotechnology. IOP Publishing. 27 (11): 115305. Bibcode:2016Nanot..27k5305K. doi:10.1088/0957-4484/27/11/115305. ISSN   0957-4484. PMID   26878691. S2CID   19102268.
  9. ↑ Apel, P. (2003). "Swift ion effects in polymers: industrial applications". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. Elsevier BV. 208: 11–20. Bibcode:2003NIMPB.208...11A. doi:10.1016/s0168-583x(03)00634-7. ISSN   0168-583X.
  10. ↑ Skupinski, Marek; Toulemonde, Marcel; Lindeberg, Mikael; Hjort, Klas (2005). "Ion tracks developed in polyimide resist on Si wafers as template for nanowires". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. Elsevier BV. 240 (3): 681–689. Bibcode:2005NIMPB.240..681S. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2005.04.128. ISSN   0168-583X.
  11. ↑ Urbassek, H. M.; Kafemann, H.; Johnson, R. E. (1 December 1993). "Atom ejection from a fast-ion track: A molecular-dynamics study". Physical Review B. American Physical Society (APS). 49 (2): 786–795. doi:10.1103/physrevb.49.786. ISSN   0163-1829. PMID   10010379.
  12. ↑ Toulemonde, M.; Assmann, W.; Trautmann, C.; Grüner, F.; Mieskes, H.D.; Kucal, H.; Wang, Z.G. (2003). "Electronic sputtering of metals and insulators by swift heavy ions". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. Elsevier BV. 212: 346–357. Bibcode:2003NIMPB.212..346T. doi:10.1016/s0168-583x(03)01721-x. ISSN   0168-583X.
  13. ↑ D’Orléans, C.; Stoquert, J.P.; Estournès, C.; Grob, J.J.; Muller, D.; Guille, J.L.; Richard-Plouet, M.; Cerruti, C.; Haas, F. (2004). "Elongated Co nanoparticles induced by swift heavy ion irradiations". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. Elsevier BV. 216: 372–378. Bibcode:2004NIMPB.216..372D. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2003.11.063. ISSN   0168-583X.
  14. ↑ Ridgway, M.C.; Kluth, P.; Giulian, R.; Sprouster, D.J.; Araujo, L.L.; Schnohr, C.S.; Llewellyn, D.J.; Byrne, A.P.; Foran, G.J.; Cookson, D.J. (2009). "Changes in metal nanoparticle shape and size induced by swift heavy-ion irradiation". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms. Elsevier BV. 267 (6): 931–935. Bibcode:2009NIMPB.267..931R. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2009.02.025. ISSN   0168-583X.
  15. ↑ Awazu, Koichi; Wang, Xiaomin; Fujimaki, Makoto; Tominaga, Junji; Aiba, Hirohiko; Ohki, Yoshimichi; Komatsubara, Tetsuro (6 August 2008). "Elongation of gold nanoparticles in silica glass by irradiation with swift heavy ions". Physical Review B. American Physical Society (APS). 78 (5): 054102. Bibcode:2008PhRvB..78e4102A. doi:10.1103/physrevb.78.054102. hdl: 2241/100795 . ISSN   1098-0121.
  16. ↑ Structural, functional and magnetic ordering modifications in graphene oxide and graphite by 100 MeV gold ion irradiation, Vacuum, Volume 182, December 2020, 109700, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2020.109700
  17. ↑ Mendoza, C., S. Peuget, T. Charpentier, M. Moskura, R. Caraballo, O. Bouty, A. H. Mir, I. Monnet, C. Grygiel, and C. Jegou. "Oxide glass structure evolution under swift heavy ion irradiation." Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 325 (2014): 54-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2014.02.002
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