Structure, morphology and annealing behavior of ion tracks in polycarbonate

•Ion track formation in polycarbonate is characterized by a damage zone of ∼2.5 nm radius with a density deficit of ∼5%•The stoichiometry of the damage track shows equal loss of C and O and increased H loss.•Annealing leads to track recovery by diffusion predominately from a track halo area of ∼5 nm radius.