Metal modification by high-power pulsed particle beams

The current state of the art in modification of iron, steel, and titanium a lloys and some metal multilayers by medium intensity (10(6)-10(9),W cm(-2)) pulsed electron and ion beams is summarized, including the contribution fr om the authors. Many of the processes that determine a defect structure and its properties are described and such problems as the formation of elastic -plastic and shock waves, mixing of multilayers, thin film deposition, and nanophase powder synthesis are discussed. The high potential of the particl e beam technology - in particular, for improving the operating characterist ics of materials - have been demonstrated amply by research centres worldwi de.