Phase transition, segregation and nanopore formation in high-energy heavy-ion-irradiated metallic glass

We report elemental segregation and the formation of a nanocomposite containing a secondary amorphous phase formed along the path of an incident ion in a metallic glass (MG) irradiated with high-energy heavy ions. Electropolishing with a solution of nitric acid preferentially attacks the damaged regions along ion trajectories leaving behind 50–500 nm diameter pores. No direct crystallization is observed as a result of damage induced by a single ion, further supporting the theory that irradiation-induced crystallization of the MG is a homogeneous process.