3D lattice distortions and defect structures in ion-implanted nano-crystals

Journal article

Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) milling is a mainstay of nano-scale machining. By manipulating a tightly focussed beam of energetic ions, often gallium (Ga+ ), FIB can sculpt nanostructures via localised sputtering. This ability to cut solid matter on the nano-scale revolutionised sample preparation across the life-, earth- and materials sciences. Despite its widespread usage, detailed understanding of the FIB-induced structural damage, intrinsic to the technique, remains elusive. Here we examine the defects caused by FIB in initially pristine objects. Using Bragg Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (BCDI), we are able to spatially-resolve the full lattice strain tensor in FIB-milled gold nano-crystals. We find that every use of FIB causes large lattice distortions. Even previously thought negligible very low ion doses, typical of FIB imaging, have a dramatic effect. Our results are consistent with a damage microstructure dominated by vacancies, highlighting the importance of free-surfaces in determining which defects are retained. At larger ion fluences, used during FIB-milling, we observe an extended dislocation network that causes stresses far beyond the bulk tensile strength of gold. These observations provide new fundamental insight into the nature of the damage created and the defects that lead to a surprisingly inhomogeneous morphology.

Authors: Hofmann, F; Tarleton, E; Harder, R; Phillips, N; Ma, P

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Volume: 7
• Publication date: 2017-04-06
• Acceptance date: 2017-03-07
• DOI: 10.1038/srep45993
• EISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN: 2045-2322