Roughness evolution of some X-UV reflective materials induced by low energy (< 1 keV) ion beam milling

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (2004), 216

Ion beam figuring (IBF) is an advanced technique that is been used for more than 10 years as a final step in the manufacturing of optical elements. It makes use of ion sputtering to correct shape defects ... [more ▼]

Ion beam figuring (IBF) is an advanced technique that is been used for more than 10 years as a final step in the manufacturing of optical elements. It makes use of ion sputtering to correct shape defects but this process may eventually lead to the degradation of the surface roughness. In this study, the evolution of roughness for some optical materials subjected to the ion beam figuring process has been investigated by using optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. Emphasis has been made on electroplated nickel, PVD gold and CVD silicon carbide. These materials are often used for X-ray and UV applications but only limited data on their behavior under ion milling is currently available. Roughness measurements have been performed at different etching depths down to 5 mum which is representative of typical IBF treatments. The effects of using different inert gases (Ar, Kr and Xe) with ion energies ranging from 200 to 900 eV have been studied. The observed trends are an important increase of the roughness for electroplated nickel, a slight decrease for PVD gold and a slight increase for CVD silicon carbide. Results are discussed in relation to previous related works and within sputtering considerations. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Study of color centers induced by PIXE irradiation

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (2002), 198(1-2), 90-97

The particle induced X-ray emission method is perfectly adapted to the study, by external beam, of art objects (like paintings) and allows non-destructive analysis of the atomic composition of the target ... [more ▼]

The particle induced X-ray emission method is perfectly adapted to the study, by external beam, of art objects (like paintings) and allows non-destructive analysis of the atomic composition of the target. However, a strange phenomenon occurs during irradiation on some pigments: dark brownish stains appear, and this could be due to the formation of color centers. In fact, these darkening spots progressively fade out and disappear after a few weeks. Heat and UV light accelerate the decreasing process. The aim of this study is to understand the physical processes of the stain creation and to find a way to make stains disappear, avoiding any damage for the painting. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Use of PIXE-PIGE under variable incident angle for ancient glass corrosion measurements

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (2002), 189

Although glass is usually considered as a very stable archaeological material, it can undergo severe degradation. Soda-lime glass, the most common glass throughout ancient times, is particularly sensitive ... [more ▼]

Although glass is usually considered as a very stable archaeological material, it can undergo severe degradation. Soda-lime glass, the most common glass throughout ancient times, is particularly sensitive to this problem. The glass surface absorbs moisture from its environment and the contact with CO2 causes Na2O and NaOH to convert to Na2CO3, which is extremely hygroscopic. The subsequent unstable glass layer can be leached out and causes decomposition of the glass. The non-destructive PIGE-PIXE method of investigation allows detection of this phenomenon even if no visible effect appears. The variable incident angle method is able to discern the depth of the degradation. One aim of such studies is the possible dating or at least fake detecting of archaeological materials, Furthermore, even objects of large size can be investigated with the atmospheric PIGE-PIXE Set-LIP, Some examples of measurements on ancient glass are given. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Equilibrium charge-state distributions of sodium ions in carbon foil

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (2001), 173

The equilibrium charge-state distributions have been measured for sodium ions at the exit of a carbon foil for energies ranging from 0.43 to 1.66 Me V. A comparison of our results with available models is ... [more ▼]

The equilibrium charge-state distributions have been measured for sodium ions at the exit of a carbon foil for energies ranging from 0.43 to 1.66 Me V. A comparison of our results with available models is performed and an empirical formula for calculating the charge-state fractions of sodium ions is deduced. [less ▲]

Automatic external filling for the ion source gas bottle of a Van de Graaff accelerator

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (1997), 129

We describe a fully automatic system we developed to fill, from an external gas bottle, the ion sourer terminal gas storage bottle of a 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator without depressing the 25 bar ... [more ▼]

We describe a fully automatic system we developed to fill, from an external gas bottle, the ion sourer terminal gas storage bottle of a 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator without depressing the 25 bar insulating gas. The system is based on a programmable automate ordering electropneumatical valves. The only manual operation is the connection of the external gas cylinder. The time needed for a gas change is reduced to typically 15 min (depending on the residual pressure wished for the gas removed from the terminal bottle). To check this system we study the ionic composition of the ion beam delivered by our accelerator after different gas changes. The switching magnet of our accelerator was used to analyse the ionic composition of the accelerated beams in order to verify the degree of elimination of the previous gases in the system. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. [less ▲]

Trace element analysis by PIXE in several biomedical fields

in Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms (1984), B3