Docentship lecture: Interactions between multiply charged MeV ions and matter
- Date: 27 February 2025, 10:15–11:15
- Location: Ångström Laboratory, 10132, Häggsalen
- Type: Docent trial lecture
- Lecturer: Petter Ström, PhD
- Organiser: Division of Materials Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Contact person: Petter Ström
The Department of Physics and Astronomy hereby invites everyone interested to a docentship lecture in the subject of Physics.
Chairperson: professor Daniel Primetzhofer
Representative of the Docentship Committee: professor Carlos Perez de los Heros
Abstract:
Studies of the interaction between ions and materials have been conducted in some form ever since Geiger and Marsden carried out a famous series of experiments between 1906 and 1913. These experiments demonstrated the existence of atomic nuclei via the scattering of alpha particles from a thin gold foil. During the 1940s, a greater practical interest arose in investigating the range of fission fragments as they penetrate materials. Subsequently, ion-material interaction has emerged as a central concept with relevance for several fields, including ion beam-assisted modification of materials and ion implantation, the latter especially related to semiconductor manufacturing. However, there is still a need for basic research to understand the processes by which ions transfer energy to, and exchange charge with matter, on time scales measured in femtoseconds. Furthermore, the possible applications of ion beam modification and ion implantation to support the development of new designed materials are not yet fully explored.
This lecture will cover a number of basic concepts needed to model charge exchange between accelerated ions and materials. It will also address the effect of said charge exchange on the deceleration of the ion in the material. Methods to measure the deceleration in question, in order to draw conclusions about the characteristic time scale of the charge exchange process, will be discussed. Finally, we go through opportunities to use what we have learned to create unique nanostructured materials by means of ion irradiation.
The lecture is an obligatory teaching test for those applying for admittance as docent and it should be possible for students and others with basic academic education in the relevant field to follow it. The lecture lasts 40-45 minutes with subsequent discussion. The lecture will be given in English.