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Irradiation temperature (IT) dependence of the elongation efficiency of vanadium nanoparticles (NPs) in SiO2 was evaluated: The samples were irradiated with 120 MeV Ag9+ ions to a fluence of 1.0 × 1014 ions/cm2 each at ITs of 300, 433, 515, and 591 K, while the measurements were performed at room temperature. The vanadium was selected for the NP species because of the highest bulk m.p. of 1910 °C (2183 K) among all the species of the elemental metal NPs in which the shape elongation was observed. The highest m.p. could contribute negligible size changes of NPs against inevitable exposure to high temperatures for the IT dependence measurements. The elongation of V NPs was evaluated qualitatively by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quantitatively by optical linear dichroism (OLD) spectroscopy. The electron microscopy studies showed a pronounced elongation of NPs with ion irradiation at the elevated temperatures. The OLD signal was almost constant, or even slightly increased with increasing the IT from 300 to 591 K. This IT dependence provides a striking contrast to that of the ion hammering (IH) effect, which predicts a steep decrease with increasing IT. Combined with the other two counterevidence previously reported, the IH-related effect is excluded from the origin of the shape elongation of metal NPs in SiO2.

The mechanism of the shape elongation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in silica, which is induced under swift heavy ion irradiation, is discussed with comparing the two candidates: (i) the synergy between the ion hammering and the transient melting of NPs by the inelastic thermal spike and (ii) the thermal pressure and flow model. We show that three experimental results are inconsistent with (i). The latter is supported by two-temperature molecular dynamics simulations, which simulate not only the atomic motions but also the local electron temperatures. A remarkable correlation was observed between the temporal evolution of the silica density around the ion trajectory and that of the aspect ratio of the NP later than ~ 1 ps after the ion impact, while no correlation was observed earlier than ~ 1 ps, even under the assumption of the instantaneous energy deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elongation process under swift heavy ion irradiation (74 MeV Kr ions) of gold NPs, with a diameter in the range 10–30 nm, and embedded in a silica matrix has been investigated by combining experiment and simulation techniques: three-dimensional thermal spike (3DTS), molecular dynamics (MD) and a phenomenological simulation code specially developed for this study. 3DTS simulations evidence the formation of a track in the host matrix and the melting of the NP after the passage of the impinging ion. MD simulations demonstrate that melted NPs have enough time to expand after each ion impact. Our phenomenological simulation relies on the expansion of the melted NP, which flows in the track in silica with modified (lower) density, followed by its recrystallization upon cooling. Finally, the elongation of the spherical NP into a cylindrical one, with a length proportional to its initial size and a width close to the diameter of the track, is the result of the superposition of the independent effects of each expansion/recrystallization process occurring for each ion impact. In agreement with experiment, the simulation shows the gradual elongation of spherical NPs in the ion-beam direction until their widths saturate in the steady state and reach a value close to the track diameter. Moreover, the simulations indicate that the expansion of the gold NP is incomplete at each ion impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract 100 nm thin NiO-films on oxidized Si-substrates were pre-structured into small platelets of 100–5000 nm side-lengths utilizing the focused ion beam technique. The development of the individual platelets under grazing angle swift heavy ion irradiation was monitored using our "High Resolution In Situ Scanning Electron Microscope" installed in the beam line of the UNILAC ion accelerator at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt/Germany. This instrument allows us to in situ investigate the structural and compositional development of individual objects in the μm- and nm-range under swift heavy ion bombardment, from the very first ion impact up to fluences of some 1015 ions/cm−2. The sample is irradiated in small fluence steps and in between SEM-images (and EDX-scans) of one-and-the-same surface area are taken. Swift heavy ion irradiation at grazing incidence (tilt angle ≥80°) and continuous azimuthal sample rotation results in lateral shrinking and vertical growth of the platelets. At intermediate fluences additional rounding of edges and corners can be observed. At high fluences the deformation finally saturates. The deformation of the platelets is accompanied by huge sputtering of the exposed SiO 2 -layer, which due to the retracting edges of the platelets results in a pyramidal-like base underneath of the NiO-structures. In our presentation we will illustrate and discuss the reshaping mechanisms and underlying driving forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]