33 research outputs found

    On the sputtering of binary compounds

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    A simple physical model is presented to describe some aspects of the sputtering of compound targets. In particular, expressions are developed for the partial sputtering yields for binary systems in terms of the elemental sputtering rates, the stoichiometric concentrations and surface binding energy. The partial yields depend non-linearly on the bulk target concentrations. Comparison of the theoretical predictions with the data on sputtering of PtSi, NiSi and Cu3Au indicates that the general features are well described

    Measurement of hydrogen depth distribution by resonant nuclear reactions

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    The resonance at E (19F) =6.42 MeV in the reaction 1H(19F,alphagamma)16O has been explored as a potentially useful method for the quantitative determination of hydrogen concentration as a function of depth in a solid substrate. The relative merits of this resonance, the 16.44-MeV resonance in the same reaction, and the 6.39-MeV resonance in the reaction 1H(15N,alphagamma)12C are discussed

    Mass fractionation of the lunar surface by solar wind sputtering

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    The sputtering of the lunar surface by the solar wind is examined as a possible mechanism of mass fractionation. Simple arguments based on current theories of sputtering and the ballistics of the sputtered atoms suggest that most ejected atoms will have sufficiently high energy to escape lunar gravity. However, the fraction of atoms which falls back to the surface is enriched in the heavier atomic components relative to the lighter ones. This material is incorporated into the heavily radiation-damaged outer surfaces of grains where it is subject to resputtering. Over the course of several hundred years an equilibrium surface layer, enriched in heavier atoms, is found to form. The dependence of the calculated results upon the sputtering rate and on the details of the energy spectrum of sputtered particles is investigated. It is concluded that mass fractionation by solar wind sputtering is likely to be an important phenomenon on the lunar surface

    Mass fractionation of the lunar surface by solar wind sputtering

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    The sputtering of the lunar surface by the solar wind is examined as a possible mechanism of mass fractionation. Simple arguments based on current theories of sputtering and the ballistics of the sputtered atoms suggest that most ejected atoms will have sufficiently high energy to escape lunar gravity. However, the fraction of atoms which falls back to the surface is enriched in the heavier atomic components in relation to the lighter ones. This material is incorporated into the heavily radiation-damaged outer surfaces of grains, where it is subject to resputtering. Calculations predict that an equilibrium surface layer, enriched in heavier atoms, will form with δ(^(18)O) ≈ +20‰ ≈ δ(^(30)Si) and that oxygen will be depleted on the surface layers of grains relative to the bulk composition by about 12.5%. These results are in fair agreement with experiment. The dependence of the calculated results upon the energy spectrum of sputtered particles is investigated. We conclude that mass fractionation by solar wind sputtering is likely to be an important phenomenon on the lunar surface but that the complex isotopic variations observed in lunar soils cannot be completely explained by this mechanism

    Sputtering of Nb by 12-MeV Protons

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    Sputtering yields for niobium bombarded by 12-MeV protons have been measured using a technique involving prior activation of the target material. Values obtained for backward and forward sputtering are SB=(1.6±0.1)×10^-4 and SF=(4.7±0.3)×10^-4, respectively. These values, expected to be similar to fast-neutron sputtering yields, are consistent with most recently published fast-neutron data
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