Growth of nano-fibers on HCP-metals by He plasma irradiation

Abstract

Morphology changes by helium plasma irradiation are investigated on four metals that have hexagonal close packing crystal structures. Straight fiberform nanostructures (FNs) were identified on rhenium. Detailed transmission electron microscopy observations of the rhenium nanostructures revealed that crystal orientation alters on locations where fibers bent. On bending locations, well-grown nanobubbles were observed or the fibers became very narrow. Parameter dependences of morphology changes are revealed on three of them (cobalt, hafnium, and zirconium). It is shown that various morphology changes such as nanocones, pinholes, pillars, and FNs occur by the helium plasma irradiation. Based on the temperature desorption spectroscopy analysis, we will discuss the behavior of He atoms and morphology changes.