Swift Heavy Ion-induced Mixing

Abstract

In this paper, the possible swift heavy ion (SHI)-matter interaction processes and their applicability to SHI-induced mixing have been discussed. The assumption that the SHI mixing is a consequence of a transient molten state diffusion has been brought forward. The following experimental evidences have been presented to verify the concepts developed for SHI mixing process: (i) Evidence of high temperature conditions in materials produced by SHIs via the study of SHI mixing in an Fe/Fe57/Si system; (ii) Verification of the hypothesis of transient molten state diffusion via a detailed study on Fe/Si system; (iii) The role played by a thermodynamical parameter, viz., interfacial free energy via a SHI mixing study on an Fe/Si multilayer; (iv) Demonstration of the occurrence of the process in an exclusively thermal-spike determined metal/metal system, viz., Fe/Ni multilayer; and (v) synthesis of technologically important SiC phases at room temperature via SHI mixing of C-allotrope/Si multilayers.

Defence Science Journal, 2009, 59(4), pp.425-435, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.1542