Direct observation of molten matter formation in the hydrogen-implanted subsurface of palladium

Abstract

Magmatic molten matter was previously shown to flow out from the polycrystalline Pd surface at temperatures far lower than the melting point of Pd, under bombardment by showering H þ ions. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy has now established that molten matter is generated in a narrow space within a microscopic crater beneath the surface. The matter is colloidal in structure with non-crystalline particles uniformly distributed therein, indicating that it was in a molten state during ion bombardment.