Slow highly charged ions have been utilized recently for the creation of monotype surface nanostructures (craters, calderas, or hillocks) in different materials. In the present study, we report on the ability of slow highly charged xenon ions (${{}^{129}\mathrm{Xe}}^{Q+}$) to form three different types of nanostructures on the LiF(100) surface. By increasing the charge state from $\mathit{Q}=15$ to $\mathit{Q}=36$, the shape of the impact induced nanostructures changes from craters to hillocks crossing an intermediate stage of caldera structures. A dimensional analysis of the nanostructures reveals an increase of the height up to 1.5 nm as a function of the potential energy of the incident ions. Based on the evolution of both the geometry and size of the created nanostructures, defect-mediated desorption and the development of a thermal spike are utilized as creation mechanisms of the nanostructures at low and high charge states, respectively.

Carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted a lot of interest lately due to their highly promising applications. Here we report on the modifications of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) induced by swift (highly energetic) heavy ions. Using scanning force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we observe a dramatic change in the structure of the irradiated SWCNTs, accompanied by an increase of the adhesion force as a function of ion fluence and electronic energy loss. With increasing ion fluence, the SWCNTs exhibit a partial transformation from metallic to more semiconducting. Moreover, at high fluence they break into segments 10–20 nm long.