Nanoparticle Formation in Borosilicate Glasses under Electron Irradiation

Here we examine Cu, Ag and Zn loaded alkali-borosilicate glasses. Nanoparticle formation in these glasses upon 200 keV and 300 keV electron beam irradiation is studied due to the excellent capability of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to spatially confine irradiation in either stationary beam or line-scan irradiation modes with a variety of beam diameters. Nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes have been precipitated using different irradiation sequences. In particular, the formation of particle chains consisting of self-organized particle ordering have been observed along with some high intensity irradiation ablation of the glass matrix, which happens in parallel with the precipitation.