Abstract
Highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) was bombarded by low-energy (∼30eV) O+ and Ne+ at fluxes in the range of 1015-1016 ions cm-2. The initial erosion of a few monolayers was studied with the aid of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Damage consisting of hillocks was observed for both O+ and Ne+, and the damage density increased with dose. O+-bombarded surfaces exhibited partial exfoliation of one to two monoatomic layers (propably as a result of chemical erosion), which was absent for Ne+ bombardment. Surface reconstruction of damaged areas was observed. The present work is the first step in an STM study of the effects of atomic oxygen erosion of graphite/epoxy composites in space.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 301-305 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Composites Science and Technology |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 1-4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1993 |
Keywords
- ATOX
- HOPG
- ion bombardment
- LEO
- STM