Formation of Microcraters by Bombardment of Microclusters

Abstract
Nanometer-size impact microcraters similar in shape to the submicron craters on lunar samples have been produced on a graphite surface by the bombardment of energetic microclusters of CsI and Au, and have been observed by a scanning tunneling microscope. The dependence of the crater diameter on the mass and energy of the projectiles is within the range of the extrapolated line obtained from massive projectiles. Impact craters generated on a plastic track detector can also be optically detected with enlargement by chemical etching.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: