MATERIALS PROCESSING WITH INTENSE PULSED ION-BEAMS

We review research investigating the application of intense pulsed ion beams (IPIBs) for the surface treatment and coating of materials. The short range (0.1-10 mu m) and high-energy density (1-50 J/cm(2)) of t hese short-pulsed (less than or equal to 1 mu s) beams (with ion curre nts I=5-50 kA, and energies E=100-1000 keV) make them ideal in flash h eating a target surface, similar to the more familiar pulsed laser pro cesses. IPIB surface treatment induces rapid melt and solidification a t up to 10(10) Wa causing amorphous layer formation and the producing nonequilibrium microstructures. At higher energy density the target su rface is vaporized, and the ablated vapor is condensed as coatings ont o adjacent substrates or as nanophase powders. Progress towards the de velopment of robust, high-repetition rate IPIB accelerators is present ed. (C) 1997 American Vacuum Society.