Title
Nanoscale manipulation of the properties of solids at high pressure with relativistic heavy ions
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Abstract
High-pressure and high-temperature phases show unusual physical and chemical properties, but they are often difficult to 'quench' to ambient conditions. Here, we present a new approach, using bombardment with very high-energy, heavy ions accelerated to relativistic velocities, to stabilize a high-pressure phase. In this case, Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7, pressurized in a diamond-anvil cell up to 40 GPa, was irradiated with 20 GeV xenon or 45 GeV uranium ions, and the (previously unquenchable) cubic high-pressure phase was recovered after release of pressure. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a radiation-induced, nanocrystalline texture. Quantum-mechanical calculations confirm that the surface energy at the nanoscale is the cause of the remarkable stabilization of the high-pressure phase. The combined use of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation provides a new means for manipulating and stabilizing new materials to ambient conditions that otherwise could not be recovered. © 2009 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Nature Materials
First Page
793
Last Page
797
Recommended Citation
Lang, M., Zhang, F., Zhang, J., Wang, J., Schuster, B., Trautmann, C., Neumann, R., Becker, U., & Ewing, R. (2009). Nanoscale manipulation of the properties of solids at high pressure with relativistic heavy ions. Nature Materials, 8 (10), 793-797. https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2528