Tracks and voids in amorphous Ge induced by swift heavy-ion irradiation

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 Jun 14;110(24):245502. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.245502. Epub 2013 Jun 14.

Abstract

Ion tracks formed in amorphous Ge by swift heavy-ion irradiation have been identified with experiment and modeling to yield unambiguous evidence of tracks in an amorphous semiconductor. Their underdense core and overdense shell result from quenched-in radially outward material flow. Following a solid-to-liquid phase transformation, the volume contraction necessary to accommodate the high-density molten phase produces voids, potentially the precursors to porosity, along the ion direction. Their bow-tie shape, reproduced by simulation, results from radially inward resolidification.