Nanoscale manipulation of the properties of solids at high pressure with relativistic heavy ions.
High-pressure and high-temperature phases show unusual physical and chemical properties, but they are often difficult to 'quench' to ambient conditions. Here, we present a new approach, using bombardment with very high-energy, heavy ions accelerated to relativistic velocities, to stabilize a high-pressure phase. In this case, Gd(2)Zr(2)O(7), pressurized in a diamond-anvil cell up to 40 GPa, was irradiated with 20 GeV xenon or 45 GeV uranium ions, and the (previously unquenchable) cubic high-pressure phase was recovered after release of pressure. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a radiation-induced, nanocrystalline texture. Quantum-mechanical calculations confirm that the surface energy at the nanoscale is the cause of the remarkable stabilization of the high-pressure phase. The combined use of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation provides a new means for manipulating and stabilizing new materials to ambient conditions that otherwise could not be recovered.
Lang
Maik
M
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA.
Zhang
Fuxiang
F
Zhang
Jiaming
J
Wang
Jianwei
J
Schuster
Beatrice
B
Trautmann
Christina
C
Neumann
Reinhard
R
Becker
Udo
U
Ewing
Rodney C
RC