Nanostructuring and hardening of LiF crystals irradiated with 3–15 MeV Au ions

Modifications of the structure and mechanical properties in LiF crystals irradiated with MeV-energy Au ions have been studied using nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The nanostructuring of crystals under a high-fluence irradiation (above 10 13 ions/cm 2 ) was observe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2011-09, Vol.104 (4), p.1121-1128
Main Authors: Maniks, J., Manika, I., Grants, R., Zabels, R., Schwartz, K., Sorokin, M., Papaleo, R. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Condensed Matter Physics
Crystals
Dislocation loops
Electronics
Gold
Irradiation
Machines
Manufacturing
Nanoindentation
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Nanotechnology
Optical and Electronic Materials
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Processes
Surfaces and Interfaces
Thin Films
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Summary:Modifications of the structure and mechanical properties in LiF crystals irradiated with MeV-energy Au ions have been studied using nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The nanostructuring of crystals under a high-fluence irradiation (above 10 13 ions/cm 2 ) was observed. Nanoindentation tests show a strong ion-induced increase of hardness (up to 150–200%), which is related to the high volume concentration of complex color centers, defect aggregates, dislocation loops and grain boundaries acting as strong barriers for dislocations. From the depth profiling of the hardness and energy loss it follows that both nuclear and electronic stopping mechanisms of MeV Au ions contribute to the creation of damage and hardening. Whereas the electronic stopping is dominating in the near-surface region, the effect of elastic displacements prevails in deeper layers close to the projectile range.
ISSN:0947-8396
1432-0630
DOI:10.1007/s00339-011-6387-z