Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
An atomistic model of phase formation in ion bombarded thin binary metallic films is discussed. Compositional changes occur at the interface between collision cascades and crystal matrix. Relaxation arises via elementary charge transfer reactions, with formation of dimers of an effective compound. Comparing surface and thermochemical properties of initial and effective alloys, a set of conditions specific to vitrification and respectively tocrystal formation under ion bombardment is obtained.