Experiments for ion-induced changes in solids

Materials research will primarily focus on (1) Heavy ion-induced modifications of solids that are exposed to extremely high pressures, (2) Analysis of material modifications induced by relativistic heavy ions, and (3) Radiation hardness of materials.
For purpose (1), the sample to be investigated must be enclosed between anvils causing extreme pressure conditions. In order to irradiate pressurized samples with ions, the beam energy has to be sufficiently high to penetrate through one of the anvils of thickness in the range of mm to cm. When entering the solid, the projectiles deposit an enormous amount of energy within a very short time and in a very small volume (corresponding to very high power densities) and trigger many different processes including phase transitions, thermal spikes and pressure waves. The response of solids under extreme pressure conditions is completely unknown, but may have direct implications in the field of geosciences with respect to geological formation and radioactive decay processes in the crust and upper mantle of the Earth. Subject (2) concerns both short-time processes stimulated by the projectiles and final modifications of structure and other characteristics of the material. The signature of short-time processes comprises the emission of various particles such as electrons, ions, atoms, and molecules, and of electromagnetic radiation (such as X-rays and Cerenkov light). Their properties as for example intensity, energy, development in time, and spatial distribution, provide valuable insight in track formation processes. Furthermore, short and intense ion pulses are expected to stimulate new processes unreachable under standard irradiation conditions.
Studies of subject (3) aim to investigate the stability and specific modifications of different materials exposed to particle beams of high energy and intensity. This will for example allow us to test insulating materials exposed to high-dose environments or to select materials with the most favorable radiation shielding properties.