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At least 19 records

Damage buildup in multilayer hexagonal boron nitride films under Ar ion bombardment

Ion irradiation can be used to modify properties of two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN). However, the behavior of multilayer 2D-hBN under ion bombardment remains essentially unexplored. Here, in this study, we systematically study the damage buildup in 40-nm-thick multilayer 2D-hBN films irradiated at room temperature with 500 keV Ar ions with doses up to 0.64 displacements per atom. Transmission electron microscopy, soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy are employed to study effects of ion irradiation. Results reveal a monotonic buildup of damage that can be described by the phenomenological zero cascade overlap model. Compared to the behavior of other group-III nitride semiconductors, radiation damage in hBN is influenced by polymorphism, involving transitions between bonding configurations of hexagonal, cubic, and amorphous phases.

Seo, M. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (L

The production and sputtering of S2 by keV ion bombardment

The ion bombardment of S-containing molecules in comets is simulated experimentally. Mass-analyzed 30-keV beams of Ar(+) and He(+) are directed at solid S, H2S, and CS2 targets at temperatures 15 K, and the neutral molecular species produced are ionized and analyzed using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The dominant species detected are S1 and S2 for the S target, H2S and S2 for the H2S target, and S, CS, S2, and CS2 for the CS2 target. In the latter case, it is found that after about 10 to the 14th He(+) ions/sq cm have struck the target, further sputtering is prevented by formation of a dark brown deposit which is stable at room temperature; the residue forms more slowly when Ar(+) ions are used. These results, indicating relatively efficient S2 production by ion bombardment, are applied to theoretical models of S2 production and/or ejection by solar-wind, solar-flare, or cosmic-ray ions striking comets. It is found that direct solar-wind production of S2 by sputtering is unlikely at realistic bombardment rates, but that H2S-S2 conversion by energetic ions could be significant, with less stringent ice-temperature and irradiation-flux constraints than in the case of S2 production by photons.

Boring, J. W.

Thermo-mechanical design aspects of mercury bombardment ion thrusters.

The mechanical design criteria are presented as background considerations for solving problems associated with the thermomechanical design of mercury ion bombardment thrusters. Various analytical procedures are used to aid in the development of thruster subassemblies and components in the fields of heat transfer, vibration, and stress analysis. Examples of these techniques which provide computer solutions to predict and control stress levels encountered during launch and operation of thruster systems are discussed. Computer models of specific examples are presented.

Schnelker, D. E.

Alteration of the UV-visible reflectance spectra of H2O ice by ion bombardment

Satellite in the Jovian and Saturnian system exhibit differences in reflectivity between their 'leading' and 'trailing' surfaces which can affect the local vapor pressure. Since these differences are thought to be due to differences in the flux of bombarding magnetospheric ions, the influence of ion impact on the UV-visible reflectance of water ice surfaces (20-90 K) by keV ion bombardment was studied. An observed decrease in reflectance in the UV is attributed to rearrangement processes that affect the physical microstructure and surface 'roughness'. The ratio in reflectance of bombarded to freshly deposited films is compared to the ratio of the reflectance of the leading and trailing hemispheres for Europa and Ganymede.

Sack, N. J.

THE ELECTRON-BOMBARDMENT ION ROCKET

Proposed electron bombardment ion rocket, discussing ion chamber, magnetic field, cathode, accelerator and neutralizer in terms of spacecraft power requirements

PROPULSION CONFIGURATION

Cone formation as a result of whisker growth on ion bombarded metal surfaces

It is shown experimentally that the seed metals which can cause cone development on ion bombarded metal targets need not to have a lower sputtering yield as widely believed but rather a higher melting point. By lowering the bombarding ion energy to near sputtering threshold values (less than 100 eV) the growth of genuine single crystal whiskers which point in all directions not related to the direction of ion incidence is observed. It is concluded that (intentional or unintentional) seed cones are the result of an interplay among whisker growth, surface movement of atoms, and the effects of sputtering.

Wehner, G. K.

Erosion and modification of SO2 ice by ion bombardment of the surface of Io

New measurements on the effect of slow ion bombardment of SO2 ice using Ar(+) in the 15-45 keV range are presented. Total yields for loss of SO2 are given along with the energy spectra of the ejected molecules and molecular fragments and information on the chemical changes induced by the ion bombardment. These data are used to estimate that the direct sputter ejection rate of sulfur into the Jovian plasma is of the order of 10 billion atoms/sq cm/s, that the erosion rate of fresh SO2 deposits due to sputtering is of the order of 0.001 cm/yr, and that a significant and possibly observable column density of SO3 can be produced in an SO2 front only for penetrating ion bombardment. Chemical activity occurs even in rather low-temperature SO2 ice bombardment by ions in the nuclear stopping region, and this activity is likely to increase with increasing temperature.

Johnson, R. E.