MeV Au2+ ions induced surface patterning in silica

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 258; no. 9; pp. 4156 - 4160
• Main Authors: Santhana Raman, P., Nair, K.G.M., Kamruddin, M., Tyagi, A.K., Rath, A., Satyam, P.V., Panigrahi, B.K., Ravichandran, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-02-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Composition; defects and impurities; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Formations; Gold; Incidence; Ion irradiation; Irradiation; Materials science; MeV ions; Patterning; Physics; Segregations; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Surface cleaning, etching, patterning; Surface pattern; Surface treatments; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Wavelengths; MeV ions; Surface pattern; Ion irradiation; Silica; Patterning; Inorganic compounds; Physical radiation effects; Amorphous state; Surface stresses; Ion beams; Surface structure; Silicon oxides; Transition elements; Gold ions
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.10.016

► Irradiation of 1.8MeV Au2+ ions at normal incidence on silica samples under room temperature (doses: from 5×1016ions/cm2 to 2×1017ions/cm2). ► Formation of periodic surface pattern with a wavelength of 1.35μm only on samples irradiated to a dose of 1×1017ions/cm2 and more. ► Surface segregation of irradiated gold occurs in samples with dose more than 1×1017ions/cm2. ► Possible role of surface stresses, due to incorporation of metal atoms, in the formation of the observed periodic surface pattern.
This paper reports the formation of self-organised surface morphological features on silica irradiated with MeV energy gold ions. Amorphous silica substrates were irradiated with 1.8MeV gold ions at normal incidence at room temperature to various doses in the range of 5×1016ions/cm2 to 2×1017ions/cm2. The formation of a periodic surface pattern with a wavelength of 1.35μm was observed at an irradiation dose of 1×1017ions/cm2. The observation of surface segregation of gold at around the same dose suggests possible role of surface stresses caused by the incorporation of metal atoms in the formation of the observed periodic surface morphology.