Slow highly charged ion induced nanopit formation on the KCl(001) surface


Slow highly charged ion induced nanopit formation on the KCl(001) surface

Wilhelm, R. A.; Heller, R.; Facsko, S.

We report on nanostructuring of the KCl(001) surface due to individual impact of slow highly charged ions. Samples were irradiated with Xe ions with charge states of Q = 15 to 40 at kinetic energies from 1.7 to 160 keV. The formation of nanopits at the virgin surface is observed and attributed to a defect mediated desorption process involving the removal of up to 2000 surface atoms per incident ion. The depth of the produced pits is shallow, but not limited to the first monolayer. From the variation of the ion parameters (charge state and kinetic energy) we derive a phase diagram for the structuring of the KCl(001) surface with highly charged ions.

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Publ.-Id: 23731