Modification of silicon nitride nanopores under electron beam (e-beam) irradiation was investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Under e-beam irradiation, all pores with diameters ranging from 40to200nm undergo shrinkage, and the shrinkage rate increases with the rate of energy deposition. By using the selected-area scanning tool in the SEM, the silicon nitride nanopores can be selectively reshaped based on localized e-beam irradiation, with a characteristic dimension smaller than 10nm. A selected-area shaping technique was proposed to controllably shrink and shape the nanopores to a special structure.

Radiation-induced damage produced at different ranges in Arabidopsis seeds results in different fluence-response curves with water-imbibed seeds being more sensitive to proton irradiation than dry seeds. As well as the shoot apical meristem (SAM) being the primary target for irradiation, there exists a secondary target around the SAM that also contributes to the radiation response.