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A.S. El-Said, R. Wilhelm, R. Heller, S. Facsko, C. Trautmann, F. Aumayr:
"Surface nanostructuring of SrTiO_{3} single crystals by slow highly charged ions and swift heavy ions";
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section B, 269 (2011), 1234 - 1237.

Single crystals of strontium titanate have been irradiated with both slow highly charged Xe ions extracted
from an Electron Beam Ion Trap and swift heavy Xe ions. After irradiation, the crystals were investigated
by scanning force microscopy in air. In both cases nanohillocks due to impact of individual projectiles
were observed. This similarity originates from the fact that both swift heavy ions and slow highly charged
ions initially transfer their energy to the electronic system of the target, leading to a localized region of
high electronic excitation. This electronic excitation is subsequently transferred to the lattice atoms by
electron-phonon coupling, leading to pronounced lattice heating. The formation of surface hillocks can
then be ascribed to a melting process. We also present first evidence for the existence of a potential
energy threshold for nanohillock formation on strontium titanate surfaces by slow highly charged ions.

Highly charged ions Nanostructures Ion-surface-interaction Scanning force microscopy Strontium titanate SrTiO3