Matrix-material dependence on the elongation of embedded gold nanoparticles induced by 4 MeV C-60 and 200 MeV Xe ion irradiation

摘要

We report the elongation of embedded Au nanoparticles (NPs) in three different matrices, i.e. amorphous carbon (a-C), crystalline indium tin oxide (InxSn1-xOz; ITO) and crystalline calcium fluoride (CaF2), under irradiations of 4 MeV C-60(+) cluster ions and 200 MeV Xe14+ ions. Under 4 MeV C-60 cluster irradiation, strong sputtering is induced in CaF2 layer so that the whole the layer was completely lost at a fluence of 5 x 10(13) ions cm(-2). Au NPs were partly observed in the SiO2, probably due to the recoil implantation. Amorphous carbon (a-C) layer exhibits low sputtering loss even under 4 MeV C-60 irradiation. However, the elongation in a-C layer was low. While the ITO layer showed a certain decrease in thickness under 4 MeV C-60 irradiation, large elongation of Au NPs was observed under both 4 MeV C-60 and 200 MeV Xe irradiation. The ITO layer preserved the crystallinity even after large elongation was induced. This is the first report of the elongation of metal NPs in a crystalline matrix.