Threshold of Damage by Xenon Ions in Gold and Silver

Abstract

Gold and silver crystals have been bombarded with xenon ions and the minimum ion energy E t that causes damage has been measured. This threshold depends on the orientation of the crystal in a manner that is consistent with a damage mechanism in which energy is directed along <110) directions. For gold E!10 = 16. 5 e V, E!l1 = 20· 5 e V, and E!OO = 23·5 e V, while for silver all values are 1 e V less. The accuracy is ± 0 . 5 e V. The relationship of these values to those obtained for damage of metals by electron bombardment is examined.