title: SAXS investigations of the morphology of swift heavy ion tracks in α-quartz.
abstract: The morphology of swift heavy ion tracks in crystalline α-quartz was investigated using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and transmission electron microscopy. Tracks were generated by irradiation with heavy ions with energies between 27 MeV and 2.2 GeV. The analysis of the SAXS data indicates a density change of the tracks of ~2 ± 1% compared to the surrounding quartz matrix for all irradiation conditions. The track radii only show a weak dependence on the electronic energy loss at values above 17 keV nm(-1), in contrast to values previously reported from Rutherford backscattering spectrometry measurements and expectations from the inelastic thermal spike model. The MD simulations are in good agreement at low energy losses, yet predict larger radii than SAXS at high ion energies. The observed discrepancies are discussed with respect to the formation of a defective halo around an amorphous track core, the existence of high stresses and/or the possible presence of a boiling phase in quartz predicted by the inelastic thermal spike model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. baf109@physics.anu.edu.au
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Afra
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trautmann
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Pakarinen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Djurabekova
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nordlund
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bierschenk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giulian
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ridgway
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizza
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toulemonde
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kluth
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D004581:Electronics; D020450:Heavy Ions; D007477:Ions; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods; D011791:Quartz; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D011791:Quartz