Abstract
We investigate the formation of nano-sized hillocks on the (111) surface of CaF2 single crystals by impact of slow highly charged ions. Atomic force microscopy reveals a surprisingly sharp and well-defined threshold of potential energy carried into the collision of about 14keV for hillock formation. Estimates of the energy density deposited suggest that the threshold is linked to a solid–liquid phase transition (“melting”) on the nanoscale. With increasing potential energy, both the basal diameter and the height of the hillocks increase. The present results reveal a remarkable similarity between the present predominantly potential energy driven process and track formation by the thermal spike of swift (∼GeV) heavy ions.
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