The first formation of ion tracks in diamond via MeV C₆₀ ion irradiation

Abstract

Injecting high-energy heavy ions into solids can create cylindrical damage zones called ion tracks. The most accepted mechanism for ion track formation is the inelastic thermal spike (i-TS) model in which molten regions induced by large energy deposition along the ion trajectories transform to tracks after quenching. However, diamond, which is in a meta-stable state, does not melt with heating but transforms to a stable state (i.e., graphite). While no tracks have ever been observed in diamond, we successfully formed tracks under MeV C₆₀ ion irradiation. Track formation via a non-melting route is presented herein.