[en] A 'sputter cone' is a general name given to a class of surface topographies formed on surfaces undergoing energetic ion bombardment. Sputter cones are related to ridges, ledges, pits and craters, as well as rather complicated winding or almost liquid-like surface structures. In general, the formation of these surface structures occurs over a wide range of materials, ion species, and bombardment conditions. Three basic mechanisms of topography formation have evolved to describe erosional topography. These are: (1) the presence of asperities, defects or microinclusions in the near surface region, (2) the presence of impurities on the surface, and (3) particular microcrystalline orientations. There are at least two types of nonerosional topography: blister formation (and exfoliation) and whisker or related 'growth' formations. The author deals primarily with the formation of erosional sputter cones formed due to the presence of surface impurities. The work by necessity includes aspects of each of the other mechanisms excluding blister formation. (Auth.)