Dynamics of cluster induced sputtering in gold

Impacts of 0.13-1.4 MeV Au13 clusters onto Au(1 1 1) target are investigated in molecular dynamics simulations. The evolution of sputtered Au atoms and clusters are simulated up to 10 ns. The total sputtering yield, angular and velocity distributions of the sputtered material, as well as dimensions of impact induced craters are compared to recent experimental results. It is shown that the experimental observations can be explained by a flow of atoms from the craters. Secondary cluster ejection from crowns formed around the craters is found to be one of the main mechanisms of sputtering. The results are summed up in an empirical model.