Particle Irradiation; An Innovative Tool in Materials Science

Abstract

Particle irradiation is the bombardment of materials with charged particles like alpha, heavy ion or neutrons. Primarily this creates various defects (like point defects like vacancy or line defects like dislocations) due to displacement of atoms. With the facility of charged particle irradiation at Variable  Energy Cyclotron centre (VECC), we have carried out irradiation on variety of materials like Bi-based High Tc superconductors and have observed an increase in critical temperature (Tc) of the system. This was explained by particle in radiation induced oxygen knock out. There was also an increase in critical current density (Jc) which is having a great significance in context of application in devices. 

In addition to charged particle irradiation on bulk materials, we have also undertaken heavy ion implantation on thin films of various materials like ZnO, and Ho , which have enhanced their magnetisation. Another dimension of ion implantation is irradiation induced growth of nanostructures like nanopillars. Irradiation induced nanopillars of Ni reflected enhancement of magnetization in the direction of growth of nanopillars.