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F. Aumayr, S. Facsko, A.S. El-Said, C. Trautmann, M. Schleberger:
"Topical Review: Single ion induced surface nanostructures: a comparison between slow highly charged and swift heavy ions";
Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 23 (2011), 393001; 1 - 23.

This topical review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the formation of
surface nanostructures, an intriguing phenomenon in ion-surface interaction due to the impact
of individual ions. In many solid targets, swift heavy ions produce narrow cylindrical tracks
accompanied by the formation of a surface nanostructure. More recently, a similar nanometric
surface effect has been revealed for the impact of individual, very slow but highly charged
ions. While swift ions transfer their large kinetic energy to the target via ionization and
electronic excitation processes (electronic stopping), slow highly charged ions produce surface
structures due to potential energy deposited at the top surface layers. Despite the differences in
primary excitation, the similarity between the nanostructures is striking and strongly points to
a common mechanism related to the energy transfer from the electronic to the lattice system of
the target. A comparison of surface structures induced by swift heavy ions and slow highly
charged ions provides a valuable insight to better understand the formation mechanisms.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/23/39/393001