Measuring the implantation depth of silver clusters in graphite

Daniel Kenny, Suzanne Weller, Martin Couillard, Richard Palmer, CF Sanz-Navarro, R Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalLetter

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to investigate the implantation of Ag-7(-) clusters into the graphite surface. An experimental measure of the implantation depth of individual clusters is gained via thermal oxidation of the bombarded graphite surfaces. This process results in etching of the cluster-induced defects to form etch pits which grow laterally whilst retaining the depth of the implanted cluster. STM imaging of the etch pits reveals the distribution of implantation depths for deposition energies of 2 keV and 5 keV. Molecular dynamics simulations for clusters of 5 keV energy show that the implantation depth for Ag-7(-) is largely independent of the impact site on the graphite surface and the cluster orientation. The implantation depth found by MD lies at the upper edge of the experimental depth distribution.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)115-118
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean Physical Journal B. Condensed Matter and Complex Systems
Volume16
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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