NEW RESULTS ON THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ETCHING PROCESS IN POLYMERS IRRADIATED WITH HEAVY-IONS AND THE SYSTEMATICS OF PORE OPENING WITH THE HELP OF THE MODEL OF LOW-ENERGY EXCITATIONS

The interaction of heavy ions with solid (thin films) produces a narro w redial core of primary damage. The actual nature of the damage and t he mechanism of its formation is not yet fully understood. In some rec ent publications (Danziger et al., 1991; Danziger et al., 1991; Danzig er et al., 1992; Danziger et al., 1990) a new model was introduced whi ch is based on the theory that the incident iou causes a disturbed str ucture directly around its trajectory and is characterized by vitreous properties. It is termed as the model of low-energy excitations. A me thod to determine the systematics of pore formation has been shown. Th e thin films have been etched by electrochemical technique and the fir st result obtained about the opening process of the smallest tracks ha s been presented.