Energetic impact of small Ag clusters on graphite

The impact of the bombardment of graphite with small silver clusters was investigated with the use of a scanning tunneling microscope. A cluster source specifically created for the deposition of small size-selected silver clusters was utilized to implant silver ions. Results revealed protrusions on the graphite surface which were caused by bumps in the graphite surface layer. In addition, the positions of the implanted silver atoms were highly localized.