Electron-beam irradiation alters bond strength in zinc oxide single crystal

Real-time control of material properties is challenging yet promising for material design and technological applications. Here, we experimentally demonstrated that the strength of a ZnO single crystal could be altered and restored by the rapid response to the switch-on/off of an electron beam. The effect of electron-beam irradiation on the strength of a ZnO single crystal in the presence and absence of irradiation through scanning electron microscopy was investigated. The electron-beam irradiation significantly decreased the ZnO shear strength, but halting the irradiation restored the strength. A first-principles analysis indicated that the ideal shear strength was decreased by hole doping. Our results implied that the change in strength was due to a decrease in the bond strength caused by the presence of holes, thereby suggesting that material strength can be rewritten by controlling the excess electrons/holes.Real-time control of material properties is challenging yet promising for material design and technological applications. Here, we experimentally demonstrated that the strength of a ZnO single crystal could be altered and restored by the rapid response to the switch-on/off of an electron beam. The effect of electron-beam irradiation on the strength of a ZnO single crystal in the presence and absence of irradiation through scanning electron microscopy was investigated. The electron-beam irradiation significantly decreased the ZnO shear strength, but halting the irradiation restored the strength. A first-principles analysis indicated that the ideal shear strength was decreased by hole doping. Our results implied that the change in strength was due to a decrease in the bond strength caused by the presence of holes, thereby suggesting that material strength can be rewritten by controlling the excess electrons/holes.