Molecular dynamics computer simulations of 10 and 20 keV Au bombardmen
t of Au substrates were performed to elucidate, the influence of surfa
ces on defect production. Nearly all of the damage was due to local me
lting and viscous flow of hot liquid onto the surface. For the 10 keV
event, 554 atoms flowed to the surface, and this led to the formation
of a dislocation network that extended almost-equal-to 6 nm below the
surface. Only three interstitial atoms and no isolated vacancies or sm
all vacancy clusters were produced. Loop punching and the nature of no
nlinear sputtering are also discussed.