Post-collision interaction after electron impact measured by (e,2e) coincidence technique

Auger electron line-shapes after electron impact inner-shell ionization of Argon at 350 eV primary electron energy have been studied by coincidence spectrometry. Emitted Auger electrons are detected in coincidence with the scattered electrons and the energy of the very slow PCI inducer ejected electron was calculated from energy conservation. The background, caused by outer-shell electrons was measured and then removed from the coincident spectrum. The effect of PCI is studied on the background-free diagram Auger spectrum. A systematic deviation was found from the line-shape given by the semi-classical approach.     

Effect of adsorbates on the formation of doubly excited He atoms during impact of He ions on a Ni(1 1 0) surface

The formation of doubly excited states of He atoms during impact of He²⁺ ions with projectile energies of 60-1000 eV under near-grazing angles of incidence of 5°-20° on clean and adsorbate-covered Ni(1 1 0) surfaces is studied by means of Auger electron spectroscopy. Pronounced dependencies of electron spectra from autoionization of atoms in doubly excited 2s², 2s2p and 2p² configurations on the coverage of the target surface with adsorbates are observed. These are directly related to work function changes, which are studied for the controlled adsorption of oxygen. Changes of the electron spectra on the target temperature are found for adsorbate-covered surfaces only, which puts into question recent interpretations of similar electron spectra in terms of a high local electron spin polarization of Ni(1 1 0) by an alternative interpretation based on thermal desorption or dissolution into bulk of surface contaminations. The formation of doubly excited states is studied for the oxygen p(2 × l) and p(3 × l) superstructures on Ni(1 1 0) in order to provide well-defined experimental data for theoretical investigations.     

Hydrogen ion desorption from amorphous carbon films induced by resonant core electron excitations

In order to get insight into the mechanism of structural change in tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films that is induced by soft X-ray illumination at photon energies near the carbon core edge, the desorption of ions from ta-C films, as a possible process taking place concurrently with the photo-induced restructuring, was studied by time-of-flight (TOF) measurements of photo-ions as a function of photon energy. The results show that (1) the main ions detected are H⁺, (2) the desorption efficiency spectra exhibit a resonant peak at 286-287 eV which is common to all detected ions, and (3) is 3 eV lower than the resonant peak in the efficiency spectrum of photo-induced restructuring. These rule out the hypothesis that it is the photo-induced C-H bond rupture that causes the resonant soft X-ray-induced restructuring in ta-C films.     

Atomic electron energy spectra of slow He ions impinging on metallic surfaces

Changes in the KLL Auger electron spectra of slow He²⁺ ions impinging on surfaces have been proposed as diagnostics of local spin polarization at ferromagnetic surfaces. For a variety of targets Gd(0 0 0 1), Ni(1 1 0), Fe(1 1 0) and Al(1 1 0) and different ion energies (20-1000 eV) and angles of incidence (5-75°) the KLL spectra have been studied. The line ratios depend on the scattering conditions and on the target used, which may give access to the exact behavior of the electronic states in the vicinity of the surface. Additional information on the ion neutralization processes may be available from the angular distributions of the emitted electrons.     

Energy levels, transition probabilities, and electron impact excitations for La XXX

The energy levels, spontaneous radiative decay rates, and electron impact collision strengths are calculated for La XXX. The data refer to 107 fine-structure levels belonging to the configurations (1s²2s²2p⁶)3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰, 3s²3p⁶3d⁹4l, 3s²3p⁵3d¹⁰4l, and 3s3p⁶3d¹⁰4l (l = s, p, d, f). The collision strengths are calculated with a 20-collision-energy grid in terms of the energy of the scattered electron between 10 and 10,000 eV by using the distorted-wave approximation. Effective collision strengths are obtained at seven electron temperatures: T_e (eV) = 10, 100, 300, 500, 800, 1000, and 1500 by integrating the collision strengths over a Maxwellian electron distribution. Coupled with these atomic data, a hydrodynamic code MED103 can be used to simulate the Ni-like La X-ray laser at 8.8 nm.     

Growth and surface morphology of ion-beam sputtered Ti-Ni thin films

Titanium-nickel thin films have been deposited on float glass substrates by ion beam sputtering in 100% pure argon atmosphere. Sputtering is predominant at energy region of incident ions, 1000 eV to 100 keV. The as-deposited films were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In this paper we attempted to study the surface morphology and elemental composition through AFM and XPS, respectively. Core level as well as valence band spectra of ion-beam sputtered Ti-Ni thin films at various Ar gas rates (5, 7 and 12 sccm) show that the thin film deposited at 3 sccm possess two distinct peaks at binding energies 458.55 eV and 464.36 eV mainly due to TiO₂. Upon increasing Ar rate oxidation of Ti-Ni is reduced and the Ti-2p peaks begin approaching those of pure elemental Ti. Here Ti-2p peaks are observed at binding energy positions of 454.7 eV and 460.5 eV. AFM results show that the average grain size and roughness decrease, upon increasing Ar gas rate, from 2.90 μm to 0.096 μm and from 16.285 nm to 1.169 nm, respectively.     

Measured displacement energies of oxygen ions in titanates and zirconates

Optical emission spectra in the 300-700 nm range were collected from four perovskite-structured materials (CaTiO₃, SrTiO₃, BaTiO₃ and CaZrO₃), a pyrochlore-structured material (La₂Zr₂O₇) and zirconolite (CaZrTi₂O₇), using either a Febetron 706 variable energy pulsed-electron-beam generator (pulse duration 3 ns) or a Vickers pulsed-electron LINAC (pulse duration 0.5 μs). The long-lived emissions (up to microseconds after the electron pulse) consist of broad (halfwidths ∼100 nm) bands centred around ∼400 nm. For the CaZrO₃, La₂Zr₂O₇ and CaZrTi₂O₇ samples, the emission intensity per unit dose was also measured as a function of electron beam energy over the range 0.2-0.6 MeV. The data for all three samples suggest a single stage dependence on electron beam energy. CaZrO₃, La₂Zr₂O₇, and CaZrTi₂O₇ have emission thresholds of 0.28 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.03, and 0.26 ± 0.03 MeV respectively, which give oxygen displacement values of 49 ± 5, 47 ± 5, and 45 ± 5 eV respectively. Data collected in this study are discussed in the context of previously measured and calculated oxygen displacement values.     

Energy levels, transition probabilities, and electron impact excitation collision strengths for Xe XXVII

The energy levels, spontaneous radiative decay rates, and electron impact collision strengths are calculated for Xe XXVII. The data refer to 107 fine-structure levels belonging to the configurations (1s²2s²2p⁶)3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰, 3s²3p⁶3d⁹4l, 3s²3p⁵3d¹⁰4l and 3s3p⁶3d¹⁰4l (l = s, p, d, f). The collision strengths are calculated with a grid of 20 collision energies between 10 and 1500 eV in terms of the energy of the scattered electron, by using the distorted-wave approximation. Effective collision strengths are obtained at six temperatures, T_e (eV) = 10, 100, 300, 500, 800 and 1500, by integrating the collision strengths over a Maxwellian electron distribution. Coupled with these atomic data, a hydrodynamic code MED103 can be used to simulate the Ni-like Xe X-ray laser.     

Alkali ion scattering from Ag(0 0 1) and Ag thin films at low and hyperthermal energies

We have investigated the scattering of K⁺ and Cs⁺ ions from a single crystal Ag(0 0 1) surface and from a Ag-Si(1 0 0) Schottky diode structure. For the K⁺ ions, incident energies of 25 eV to 1 keV were used to obtain energy-resolved spectra of scattered ions at θ_i = θ_f = 45°. These results are compared to the classical trajectory simulation safari and show features indicative of light atom-surface scattering where sequential binary collisions can describe the observed energy loss spectra. Energy-resolved spectra obtained for Cs⁺ ions at incident energies of 75 eV and 200 eV also show features consistent with binary collisions. However, for this heavy atom-surface scattering system, the dominant trajectory type involves at least two surface atoms, as large angular deflections are not classically allowed for any single scattering event. In addition, a significant deviation from the classical double-collision prediction is observed for incident energies around 100 eV, and molecular dynamics studies are proposed to investigate the role of collective lattice effects. Data are also presented for the scattering of K⁺ ions from a Schottky diode structure, which is a prototype device for the development of active targets to probe energy loss at a surface.     

Predicting the probability for fission gas resolution into uranium dioxide

Classical molecular dynamics simulations, using a set of previously established pair potentials, have been used to predict the minimum energy needed for krypton and xenon atoms to be resolved into uranium dioxide across a perfect (1 1 1) surface. The absolute minimum energy, E_min, is 53 eV for krypton and 56 eV for xenon atoms, significantly less than the 300 eV value often assumed in fuel modelling as the minimum energy required for gas resolution. The present values are, however, still sufficient to preclude thermal resolution at normal reactor temperatures. The discrepancies between the present and previous resolution energies are due to the significant variation in probabilities of absorption at different impact points on the crystal surface; we have mapped out the probability distribution for various impact sites across the crystal surface. The value of 300 eV corresponds to an 85% chance of resolution.     

Electron impact collision strengths in Sn XXIII

The energy levels, multipole (E1, M1, E2, and M2) transition rates, and electron-impact collision strengths are calculated for Sn XXIII. The data refer to 107 fine-structure levels belonging to the configurations (1s²2s²2p⁶)3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰, 3s²3p⁶3d⁹4?, 3s²3p⁵3d¹⁰4?, and 3s3p⁶3d¹⁰4?(? = s, p, d, and f). The collision strengths are calculated with a 20-collision-energy grid in terms of the energy of the scattered electron between 37.5 and 8436 eV by using the distorted-wave approximation. Effective collision strengths are obtained at five electron temperatures, T_e (eV) = 193.89, 387.78, 581.67, 775.57, and 969.46, by integrating the collision strengths over a Maxwellian electron distribution.     

Interferences in electron emission from O2 by 30 MeV O impact

Interference structures in the ejected electron spectra for 30 MeV O^5,8+ + O₂ are investigated. The measured electron yields were studied for electron energies from 5 to 400 eV and observation angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150° with respect to the incident beam direction. Experimental molecular cross-sections were normalized to theoretical molecular one-center cross-sections revealing oscillatory structures suggestive of secondary interferences as evidenced by the independence on the observation angle. An oscillation interval for 30 MeV O^5,8+ + O₂ of Δk ∼ 4 a.u. is found, a value two times larger than that previously observed for 3 MeV H⁺ + N₂. No obvious evidence for primary Young-type interferences was seen.     

First principle studies on the electronic structures and absorption spectra in KMgF3 crystal with fluorine vacancy

The experiments indicate that the perfect KMgF₃ crystal has no absorption in the visible range, however the electron irradiation induces a complex absorption spectrum. The absorption spectra can be decomposed by five Gaussian bands peaking at 2.5 eV (488 nm), 3.4 eV (359 nm), 4.2 eV (295 nm), 4.6 eV (270 nm) and 5.2 eV (239 nm), respectively. The purpose of this paper is to seek the origins of the absorption bands. The electronic structures and absorption spectra either for the perfect KMgF₃ or for KMgF₃: with electrical neutrality have been studied by using density functional theory code CASTEP with the lattice structure optimized. The calculation results predicate that KMgF₃: also exhibits five absorption bands caused by the existence of the fluorine ion vacancy and the five absorption bands well coincide with the experimental results. It is believable that the five absorption bands are related to in KMgF₃ crystal produced by the electron irradiation.     

Surface oxidation of Zircaloy-4 at 600 K by adsorbed oxygen, nitric oxide, and sulfur dioxide

Understanding and controlling the formation of surface oxides on Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) surfaces in the presence of nitrogen or sulfur at high temperatures is of interest in applications where this alloy serves as a structural material. In this article we monitor the adsorption of gases on Zry-4 surfaces at 600 K using Auger electron spectroscopy. We find that sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitric oxide (NO), and isotopic oxygen (¹⁸O₂) all result in the formation of surface oxides. The presence of sulfur on the surface is reflected both in an increase in the intensity of the overlapping [Zr(MNV) + S(LMM)] feature and its shift toward higher kinetic energies. On the other hand, since oxide formation results in shifts of the Zr(MNV) Auger transition toward lower energies, opposite to what the presence of sulfur does, we also obtain useful information from the Zr(MNN) transition. Although exposure to oxygen results in the largest oxygen concentration near the surface, all the three adsorbates shift the Zr(MNN) feature by about 1.5-2.0 eV, indicative of surface oxidation.     

Total cross sections for electron scattering from CH3OH and CH3CH2OH molecules in the energy range from 10 to 1000 eV

At low energy range, the additivity rule cannot give good total electron scattering cross sections for CH₃OH (methanol) and CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) molecules. This is because electron-molecule scattering is reduced to electron-atom scattering in the additivity rule method. In this paper, considering the difference between the bound atom in the molecule and the free atom, the additivity rule has been revised. With the revised additivity rule, the total cross sections for electron scattering from CH₃OH and CH₃CH₂OH molecules over a wide energy range from 10 to 1000 eV have been calculated and compared with the available experimental and theoretical data. Better agreement is obtained. Above 500 eV, there exist no experimental data, so the present calculations can give a reference for further experimental studies.     

Nuclear model calculations on the production of Sb via various nuclear reactions

Only very few radionuclides exist that decay exclusively by EC-mode without accompanying radiation, ¹¹⁹Sb is one of them. Auger emitter ¹¹⁹Sb (T_1/2 = 38.9 h, I_EC = 100%) is a potent nuclide for targeted radionuclide therapy based on theoretical dosimetry calculations at a subcellular scale. Auger electron emitting radionuclides in cancer therapy offer the opportunity to deliver a high radiation dose to the tumor cells with high radiotoxicity while minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.     

Elastic electron scattering by silver atom

The experimental and theoretical studies of elastic electron scattering by silver atom have been carried out. The experimental investigation was based on crossed beam technique with effusive atomic beam being perpendicularly crossed by electron beam. The measurements were performed at electron-impact energies (E₀) of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 eV and for a range of scattering angles (θ) from 10° up to 150°. The absolute differential cross sections (DCSs) have been obtained from the elastic-to-inelastic (the unresolved silver resonant lines 4d¹⁰5p²P_{1/2, 3/2}) intensity ratio at θ = 10° at each E₀. Calculations have been performed using the parameter-free complex optical potential (OP) with the inclusion of spin-orbit interaction for the same E₀. Comparison between present experiment and theory has been made.     

Resonant Rutherford backscattering spectrometry for carbon diffusion in silicon

300 keV C⁺ ion implantation onto Si(1 0 0) wafers was carried out at temperatures of 400, 500, 550, 600, 650 and 700 °C. Depth profile of C was determined by resonant Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RRBS) measurements using ¹²C(α,α)¹²C resonant reaction with the α-particle energy of 4.27 MeV. The concentration of the implanted carbon at the surface as a function of inverse of implantation temperature shows an Arrhenius behaviour. The activation energy for diffusion of carbon in Si was measured and found to be 0.434 eV, which is smaller than the activation energy (0.88 eV) for the C diffusion in Si in equilibrium condition. The possible mechanism of C diffusion in Si during irradiation conditions existing in our experiments where large concentration of vacancies and interstitials are produced is discussed and we find that the C diffusion during irradiation conditions could be due to the drag the carbon towards the surface by the vacancy flux.     

Sputtering induced by cluster impact on metal targets: Influenceof electronic stopping

The effect of electronic stopping on the sputtering of metals by cluster impact is discussed. We focus on the specific case of Au₁₃ impact on a Au surface. Using molecular-dynamics simulation, we study several strategies to include electronic stopping. Electronic stopping influences both the magnitude of the sputter yield and the duration of the sputter process. In the usual procedure, electronic stopping only affects sufficiently fast atoms with kinetic energies above a threshold energy, which is of the order of the target cohesive energy. When assuming that electronic stopping holds down to thermal energies <1 eV, or even to 0 eV, the collision spike is rapidly quenched and the sputter yields become unrealistically small. Furthermore, we implement a scheme to include electronic stopping based on local (electron) density information readily available in a simulation.     

A deceleration system at the Heidelberg EBIT providing very slow highly charged ions for surface nanostructuring

Recently, it has been demonstrated that each single-impact of a slow (typically 1-2 keV/u) highly charged ion (HCI) creates truly topographic and non-erasable nanostructures on CaF₂ surfaces. To further explore the possibility of nanostructuring various surfaces, using mainly the potential energy stored in such HCIs, projectiles with kinetic energies as low as possible are required. For this purpose a new apparatus, capable of focusing and decelerating an incoming ion beam onto a solid or gaseous target, has been installed at the Heidelberg electron beam ion trap (EBIT). An X-ray detector and a position-sensitive particle detector are utilized to analyze the beam and collision products. First experiments have already succeeded in lowering the kinetic energy of HCIs from 10 keV/q, down to ∼30 eV/q, and in focusing the decelerated beam to spot sizes of less than 1 mm², while maintaining the kinetic energy spread below ∼20 eV/q.