Role of swift heavy ions in materials characterization and modification

Abstract

Heavy ions with energies of a few tens of MeV and higher available at NSC Pelletron have applications in materials characterization and modifications. Nuclear techniques have been exploited for materials analysis by elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA). High energy heavy ions and gaseous ionization chamber based telescope detector or Bragg curve spectrometer adds to the strength of ERD technique. Energetic heavy ions have been extensively used for the analysis of different materials. The on-line measurements made it possible to monitor the changes during ion irradiation. The plan to modify the detection set up is discussed which will improve the sensitivity without effecting the depth resolution. It will also enhance the capability of on-line monitoring of modification of materials. Electronic excitation induced by energetic heavy ions causes exotic changes in materials. There are indications that swift heavy ion can cause sputtering from surface and mixing at the interface at large electronic excitation which require detailed investigations.