Sputtering and mixing of supported nanoparticles

Sputtering in supported cluster arrays

“…With regard to the Y c -curves, this study predicts a slight increase in sputtering with increasing h. However, this increase is smaller than that obtained by theoretical methods associated with the surface damage energy [3], especially, for small NI spacing (case S, large surface density of NIs). The main reason is that the space between two NIs is reduced (in the case S $ 7.2 Å) so that atoms ejected across the NI surface may collide with the neighboring NI and be trapped by this.…”

“…In fact, the exponential decrease with increasing fluence has been obtained approximately in simulation and experimental works [3,12]. For a uniform surface bombardment, this change is approximately the same for every NI.…”

“…To simulate the system at higher fluence, the upper (0 0 1) surface layer of all the NIs, placed at the aforementioned height h, was removed. This new system defines with great approximation the state of the system after a collisional process with a larger suitable fluence [3]. Obviously, mixing effects, induced defects and shape changes are not taken into account.…”

“…Briefly, enhanced sputtering yields have been obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimentally measured in the bombardment of isolated (NPs) [1,2] and supported nanoclusters (NIs) [3][4][5]. In fact, most studies have focused on the bombardment by clusters (as well as ions) of an only NI; however, they have not taken into account the effect of the fluence or the influence of neighboring clusters [6][7][8].…”

Sputter yield of curved surfaces

“…Molecular dynamics simulations have been employed to analyze specific cases [5][6][7][8][9][10]. A recent study [11,12] systematically explores the size dependence of the sputtering of a sphere by a single ion and finds that for large radii R and perpendicular impact, the sphere's sputter yield, Y sphere R , is greater than that of a flat surface, Y ∞ :…”