[1][2] They are associated with cylindrical damage-regions several nanometers in diameter[3][4] and can be studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) or gas permeation.
[6] Ion tracks can be selectively etched in many insulating solids, leading to cones or cylinders, down to 8 nanometers in diameter.
[7] Etched track cylinders can be used as filters,[8][9] Coulter counter microchannels,[10] be modified with monolayers,[11] or be filled by electroplating.
The energy transfer between the heavy projectile ion and the light target electrons occurs in binary collisions.
The resulting shape depends on the type of material, the concentration of the etchant, and the temperature of the etch bath.
In crystals and glasses, selective etching is due to the reduced density of the ion track.
[11] The monolayers are semi-permeable for the solvated ions of the etch medium and reduce surface attack.
Depending on the relative concentration of the surfactant and the etch medium, barrel or cylindrical shaped ion track pores are obtained.
6) This method requires to remove remaining metal oxide deposits by aqueous HCl solutions.
The cathode film is negatively charged with respect to the anode, which is placed on the opposite side of the membrane.
During electro-deposition, the channels fill gradually with metal, and the lengths of the nano-wires are controlled by the deposition time.
A free-standing replica is obtained by removing the template after deposition of a bearing film on the anode side of the membrane.
Microtechnology: The common mechanical tools of the macroworld are being supplemented and complemented, and in some applications replaced by, particle beams.
Here, beams of photons and electrons modify the solubility of radiation-sensitive polymers, so-called "resists", while masking protects a selected area from exposure to radiation, chemical attack, and erosion by atomic impact.
[41] Mica membranes with ion track pores were used by Beck and Schultz to determine the mechanism of hindered diffusion in nanopores.
[42][43] Classifying micro- and nanoparticles: The resistance of a channel filled by an electrolyte depends on the volume of the particle passing through it.
[10] This technique is applied to the counting and sizing of individual red blood cells, bacteria, and virus particles.
At low pH (high proton concentration), the wall charge is completely neutralized.
[47] Bio-sensor: Chemical modification of the channel wall changes its interaction with passing particles.
[48] Anisotropic conduction: A platform covered with many free standing wires acts as large area field emitter.
The electrical conductivity of the multilayer wire depends on the applied external magnetic field.