Non linear volume expansion in helium implanted erbium metal films

Abstract

Large dimensional expansion has been observed at room temperature in erbium metal films implanted at room temperature with high fluences of helium. The interferometrically measured film thickness increases linearly with fluence up to a critical dose of 3 × 10¹⁷ He+/cm² (E = 160 keV) and is superlinear at higher fluences. Annealing at 400°C causes a reduction of the induced expansion for fluences below the critical dose without apparent release of helium. Annealing of samples implanted to fluences greater than 3.5 × 10¹⁷ He⁺/cm² causes accentuated expansion which is accompanied by formation and rupture of bubbles at the film surface.