This paper reports a study of N-14(+) implanted Ti and Zr films analysed by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The fluences ranged from 4.0-10.0 x 10(17) atoms.cm(-2) and energies of 15-20 keV. Here, the nitrogen depth distributions were obtained simultaneously and independently for each RBS spectrum from the direct nitrogen signal and from the reduction of the backscattered yield from Ti and Zr (deficiency method). Fits to the RBS spectra show that the deficiency method clearly underestimates the N-14 yield by 32% for Ti (and 45% for Zr) when compared to the direct nitrogen signal. This discrepancy reduces to 23% for Ti (and 43% for Zr) when the presence of nitrogen bubbles are simulated in the fits.

A specially designed beam profile monitor (BPM) was produced to be assembled over a biased target plate, with the aim of studying the effect of an ion beam deceleration system on the beam fluence due to beam dispersion. The new BPM was developed with a shape as flat as possible, so it could be attached to a biased target plate without affecting the target geometry, using a slit scan method to produce an high-resolution beam profile. This system was designed and installed on the high current ion implanter at the Laboratorio de Aceleradores e Tecnologias de Radiacao, at the Campus Tecnologico e Nuclear, of Instituto Superior Tecnico, in Lisbon. The system is capable of showing the ion beam profile for low-energy ion beams below 15 keV, using a beam deceleration system.

ABSTRACT An ion beam deceleration system was studied for the high-current ion implanter at the Laboratório de Aceleradores e Tecnologias de Radiação at the Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, of Instituto Superior Técnico. The installed system consists of a target plate and one electrostatic focusing lens with one electrode. This article describes the results of the evaluation of the new system. With this upgrade, the ion implanter provides enhanced versatility for decelerating to 5 keV a high current ion beam at the µA level. This implantation provides a wide area and allows for a continuous magnetic beam scanning, extending the energy range to lower values, opening up a wider set of applications.

We report polycrystalline BaTiO3 with cooperative magnetization behavior associated with the scarce presence of about 113 atomic ppm of Fe ions, clearly displaying magnetoelectric coupling with significant changes in magnetization (up to ΔM/M ≈ 32%) at the ferroelectric transitions. We find that Fe ions are segregated mostly at the interfaces between grain boundaries and an Fe-rich phase, forming a self-composite with high magnetoelectric coupling above room temperature. We compare our results with ab initio calculations and other experimental results found in the literature, proposing mechanisms that could be behind the magnetoelectric coupling within the ferroelectric matrix. These findings open the way for further strategies to optimize interfacial magnetoelectric couplings.

We report polycrystalline BaTiO3 with cooperative magnetization behavior associated with the scarce presence of about 113 atomic ppm of Fe ions, clearly displaying magnetoelectric coupling with significant changes in magnetization (up to ΔM/M ≈ 32%) at the ferroelectric transitions. We find that Fe ions are segregated mostly at the interfaces between grain boundaries and an Fe-rich phase, forming a self-composite with high magnetoelectric coupling above room temperature. We compare our results with ab initio calculations and other experimental results found in the literature, proposing mechanisms that could be behind the magnetoelectric coupling within the ferroelectric matrix. These findings open the way for further strategies to optimize interfacial magnetoelectric couplings.

The effective mass of the electron neutrino can be probed by studying the \(^{163}\)Ho electron capture decay with cryogenic microcalorimeters. The goal is to perform a calorimetric experiment, where all the energy released in the decay is measured except for the kinetic energy of the neutrino. To achieve such a goal, multiple approaches are being investigated to enclose the radioactive source in a microcalorimeter absorber without affecting the thermal properties of the absorber material. One such approach is to implant the radioactive isotope into a gold absorber, as gold is successfully used in similar applications. We measured the heat capacity of gold films, implanted with various concentrations of holmium and erbium (a byproduct of the \(^{163}\)Ho fabrication), in the temperature range 70–300 mK. Our results show that the specific heat capacity of the films is not affected by the implant, making this a viable option for a future experiment. We also verified that the implant does not affect the crystal structure of the gold film.

In a microcalorimetric neutrino mass experiment using the radioactive decay of (163)Ho, the radioactive material must be fully embedded in the microcalorimeter absorber. One option that is being investigated is to implant the radioactive isotope into a gold absorber, as gold is successfully used in other applications. However, knowing the thermal properties at the working temperature of microcalorimeters is critical for choosing the absorber material and for optimizing the detector performance. In particular, it is paramount to understand if implanting the radioactive material in gold changes its heat capacity. We used a bolometric technique to measure the heat capacity of gold films, implanted with various concentrations of holmium and erbium (a byproduct of the (163)Ho fabrication), in the temperature range 70 mK-300 mK. Our results show that the specific heat capacity of the gold films is not affected by the implant, making this a viable option for a future microcalorimeter holmium experiment.

The neutrino mass experiment MARE is presently focusing on the feasibility study of electron capture decaying isotope 163 Ho, as an alternative approach to the well investigated 187 Re beta decaying isotope. 163 Ho, which undergoes a very low Q value decay with about 4500 years half life, gives the advantages of using very low mass metallic absorber transition edge sensor microcalorimeters and self energy calibrating spectral measurements. These features match very well with the basic technique of transition edge sensor microcalorimeter arrays that have in fact reached a maturity that allows envisaging a full-scale experiment. The preliminary results of radioactive 163 Ho doped absorbers are presented and discussed in the framework of the MARE goal of achieving a sensitivity of 0.1-0.2 eV/c 2 for the neutrino Mass.

Energetic He+ and D+ ions were implanted into different W–Ta composites in order to investigate their stability under helium and deuterium irradiation. The results were compared with morphological and chemical modifications arising from exposure of pure W and Ta. Special attention was given to tantalum hydride (Ta2H) formation due to its implications for tritium inventory. Three W–Ta composites with 10 and 20at.% Ta were prepared from elemental W powder and Ta fibre or powder through low-energy ball milling in argon atmosphere. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used as the consolidation process in the temperature range from 1473 to 1873K. The results obtained from pure elemental samples and composites are similar. However, Ta2H is easily formed in pure Ta by using a pre-implantation stage of He+, whereas in W–Ta composites the same reaction is clearly reduced, and it can be inhibited by controlling the sintering temperature.

Pure tungsten and tantalum plates and tungsten–tantalum composites produced via mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering were bombarded with He+ and D+ energetic ion beams and deuterium plasmas. The aim of this experiment is to study the effects caused by individual helium and deuterium exposures and to evidence that the modifications induced in the composites at different irradiation energies could be followed by irradiating the pristine constituent elements under the same experimental conditions, which is relevant considering the development of tailored composites for fusion applications. Higher D retentions, especially in tungsten, and superficial blistering are observed in both components after helium exposure. The blistering is magnified in the tantalum phase of composites due to its higher ductility and to water vapour production under deuterium irradiation. At lower irradiation energies the induced effects are minor. After plasma exposure, the presence of tantalum does not increase the D content in the composites.

The development of accurate mass spectrometry, enabling the identification of all the ions extracted from the ion source in a high current implanter is described. The spectrometry system uses two signals (x–y graphic), one proportional to the magnetic field (x-axes), taken from the high-voltage potential with an optic fiber system, and the other proportional to the beam current intensity (y-axes), taken from a beam-stop. The ion beam mass register in a mass spectrum of all the elements magnetically analyzed with the same radius and defined by a pair of analyzing slits as a function of their beam intensity is presented. The developed system uses a PC to control the displaying of the extracted beam mass spectrum, and also recording of all data acquired for posterior analysis. The operator uses a LabVIEW code that enables the interfacing between an I/O board and the ion implanter. The experimental results from an ion implantation experiment are shown.

The development of accurate mass spectrometry, enabling the identification of all the ions extracted from the ion source and further precise 180Hf isotope implantation, in a high current implanter is described. The spectrometry system uses two signals (x–y graphic), one proportional to the magnetic field (x-axes), taken from the high-voltage potential with an optic fiber system, and the other proportional to the beam current intensity (y-axes), taken from a beam-stop. The ion beam mass register in a mass spectrum of all the elements magnetically analyzed with the same radius and defined by a pair of analyzing slits as a function of their beam intensity is presented. Hence, it is possible to implant 180Hf+, with less than 1% contamination from neighboring isotopes, in order to conduct material characterization studies by Perturbed Angular Correlations. The precision of the low fluence ion implantation has been done by neutron activation analysis.

The development of a low-cost, accurate, non-intercepting continuous method for measuring the beam current in a high-current ion implanter is described. The method, named a differential current monitor, is based on the electric charge conservation principle, applied to the currents that flow in the implanter electrical system, due to the acceleration voltage applied to the ion beam and the leakage currents to ground. This method allows for continuous measurement of the ion beam current without intercepting it. Since its installation, it is possible to accurate measure ion beam currents from tens of μA to mA, which is the normal range for this type of system.