Combined effects of nuclear and electronic energy losses in solids irradiated with a dual-ion beam

Single and dual-beam irradiations of oxide (c-ZrO2, MgO, Gd2Ti2O7) and carbide (SiC) single crystals were performed to study combined effects of nuclear (S-n) and electronic (S-e) energy losses. Rutherford backscattering experiments in channeling conditions show that the S-n/S-e cooperation induces a strong decrease of the irradiation-induced damage in SiC and MgO and almost no effects in c-ZrO2 and Gd2Ti2O7. The healing process is ascribed to electronic excitations arising from the electronic energy loss of swift ions. These results present a strong interest for both fundamental understanding of the ion-solid interactions and technological applications in the nuclear industry where expected cooperative S-n/S-e effects may lead to the preservation of the integrity of nuclear devices. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.