Comparison of structure and formation mechanisms of surface tracks and tracks in a metal island film on a dielectric surface

Surface tracks and tracks in gold island films on a single gypsum crystal surface irradiated by 132Xe ions with energy 1 MeV nucl-1 at a small angle have been investigated by electron microscopy. It has been shown that a track in an island film is formed both with ion motion in the island layer and with ion motion in the substrate volume up to a depth of 25 nm. Track sizes depend greatly on the radii of islands. Mechanisms of island removal based on their irradiation by δ-electrons and on the formation of a shock wave in the gypsum volume are discussed. (author)