Comparison of the structure and sizes of tracks induced by high-energy monatomic and cluster ions incident on the surface of mica

Abstract Tracks induced on a muscovite mica surface by Sn ions with energy of 1 MeV u −1 , and C 60 ions with energy of 30 keV u −1 , were studied by methods of electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy. The irradiations were carried out at an angle of 2° relative to the surface of the mica. It is shown that Sn ion tracks and C 60 ion tracks differ both in shape and size. It is hypothesized that the differences are connected not only with the different density of energy deposited by these ions, but also with disintegration of C 60 ions into separate clusters after impact.