Cluster ion implantation and deposition

General:
The Cluster Ion Beam facility covers a wide range of subjects from fundamental studies of effects on energetic cluster ion impact with surfaces to radiation physics of condensed matter and application oriented deposition of atomic clusters.

By obtaining a fundamental understanding of the dynamical properties of clusters it will be possible to use this class of objects to develop Cluster Ion Beam Processing as a powerful technology for the production of materials with novel functional and structural properties on nanoscale.

Main research directions:
- fundamental studies of the dynamical behaviour occuring on energetic cluster ion impact on surfaces
- fundamental and applications oriented investigations of cluster ion deposition processes

Experimental facilities:
CIDA - an ultrahigh vacuum Cluster Implantation and Deposition Apparatus.
PUCLUS - a PUlsed CLUster Source from gaseous precursors compatible with the CIDA.
LACS - a Laser Ablation Cluster Source
- for more information see Experimental facilities

Results in brief:
Effects of energetic cluster ion impact with surfaces are under the study. The specific surface phenomena depending on cluster implantation regimes (cluster size, energy, species and target material) were investigated. For example, the formation of nm-size protrusions (hillocks) on cluster-surface impact was under detailed study. Complex crater formation on energetic cluster interaction with various solids was found for the first time (Fig. 1). The experimental part of the research is supported by molecular dynamics simulations of cluster-target interactions carrying out in collaboration with the group of Prof. K. Nordlund (Helsinki University). This cycle of works led to the development of fundamental models explaining cluster stopping mechanisms and their effect on the bombarded material which is of great importance for further use of cluster beams.

Fig. 1 (Top) Complex crater as imaged by AFM on Si(111) surface after 18 keV Ar₁₂ cluster implantation. The cross sectional view to the right shows the complex structure with rim-to-rim diameter of approximately 18 nm and central hillock height of 0.8 nm. (Bottom) The macro-crater analogy - Yuty crater on Mars (from www.lpi.usra.edu).

Currently the CIDA setup together with a newly constructed LACS are used for experiments on synthesis of metal clusters, their following mass-selection and energetic deposition (pinning) to surfaces. Production of very small (ca. 1 nm) size-controlled nanoparticles and their immobilisation on surfaces are of great importance for a number of practical application, for example, as catalyst nanoparticles for nanotube growth and components of spintronics devices.
This research is a part of the strategic platform on Nanoparticles in Interactive Environments (2006-2008) which joins about 10 groups of the Departments of Physics and Chemistry and funded by the Science Faculty of GU.

For additional information concerning Cluster Ion Implantation and Deposition activity please refer to the full publication list on the subject or contact any of the persons involved.