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ABSTRACT: Atomic resolution transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) observations and analysis have been undertaken on magnesium aluminate
spinel to understand the structure of ion tracks induced by swift heavy ions. A combination of TEM techniques, which includes
high-resolution and bright-field (BF) imaging, and high angular resolution electron channeling spectroscopy (HARECXS) analysis,
disclosed the atomic structure of ion tracks. Swift heavy ions induce cation disordering along the latent tracks for a widespread
region of 10 nm in diameter, which is much larger than a strained region detected by BF diffraction contrast. A preferential
migration of cations is induced from the tetrahedral to octahedral interstitial site at the core regions of ion tracks under
a condition of higher electronic excitation of (dE/dx)e = 35 keV/nm.
JOM: the journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 03/2007; 59(4):27-30. · 1.42 Impact Factor
