INTERACTION OF MEV ATOMIC IONS WITH MOLECULAR-SOLIDS - ION TRACK STRUCTURE AND SPUTTERING PHENOMENA

Recent results obtained in our research groups from studies of the int eractions of swift, heavy atomic ions with molecular solids are concis ely outlined. The focus is on material ejection (sputtering) and surfa ce track formation. The experimental techniques employed include time- of-flight mass spectrometry, energy analysis, collection and analysis of sputtered material, and scanning force microscopy. Characteristics of the sputtering process probed include the sputtering yield, radial and axial velocity distributions, angular distributions, and surface t rack morphology. Besides reviewing and correlating experimental result s, we also emphasize the common quasi-thermal origin of pressure-pulse /hydrodynamic and evaporative spike sputtering models.