New insight on the ion beam-induced plastic deformation in amorphous alloys by marker experiments

The macroscopic atomic transport induced in amorphous systems by ion electronic energy loss is studied by means of RBS experiments on a marker either implanted (Bi) or evaporated (Au) in the target. Irradiation of amorphous Ni3B with 500 MeV I ions leads to (i) a huge shift of the marker profile towards the sample surface, (ii) a surprising decrease of its distribution width. The results are totally accounted for by the plastic deformation phenomenon induced by electronic excitation in amorphous materials.