Electronic energy-density effects in ion tracks of metals

High resolution Auger-electron spectroscopy has been applied to the interaction of swift heavy ions with atomically clean metallic solids. Spectra have been taken for fast projectile electrons and for charge-state equilibrated ions at normal incidence on microcrystalline beryllium samples, Al(1 0 0) single crystals and several metallic glasses (Al₈₇La₇Ni₅Zr₁, Ni₇₈B₁₄Si₈, Co₆₆Si₁₆B₁₂Fe₄Mo₂). From the energy shift and from the Auger-line width we have extracted ion-track potentials and also electron temperatures inside ion tracks. A first determination of the angular distribution of multiple-ionization lines is presented as well.