Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Changes in the subsurface composition of Ni-40 at.% Cu alloys during 3-keV Ne+ bombardment at temperatures between 25 and 700°C were studied by means of ion scattering spectroscopy.Both the time evolution of the composition in the surface atom layer during ion bombardment and subsurface concentration profiles after rapid specimen cooling to room temperature were measured as a function of temperature. Radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients were derived from the effective altered-layer thicknesses obtained. A comparison of the experimental measurements with theoretical calculations based on a phenomenological model enabled the identification of processes and kinetics responsible for subsurface compositional modifications.