Abstract Ion tracks created in polycarbonate foils by irradiation with 2.2 GeV Au ions were characterized using a combination of small-angle x-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ion tracks were found to consist of a cylindrical damage core with a radius of ∼2.5 ± 0.2 nm and a relative density approximately 5% below that of the pristine polycarbonate. Upon exposure to thermal annealing between 100 and 200 °C, the tracks were observed to double in size. Simultaneously, this led to a recovery in the density of the ion track, reaching a value just below that of the pristine polymer. A mechanism is proposed that explains this behavior by diffusion of radiolysis products/material flow into the under-dense track core from the surrounding region. Treatment of the tracks with UV radiation has shown no significant change in the track structure and size.

中文翻译：

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聚碳酸酯中离子轨迹的结构、形态和退火行为

摘要 使用小角度 X 射线和中子散射 (SAXS/SANS) 和傅里叶变换红外光谱 (FTIR) 的组合来表征由 2.2 GeV Au 离子照射在聚碳酸酯箔中产生的离子轨迹。发现离子轨迹由半径为~2.5±0.2 nm 的圆柱形损伤核心组成，相对密度比原始聚碳酸酯低约 5%。在暴露于 100 到 200 °C 之间的热退火后，观察到轨迹的尺寸增加了一倍。同时，这导致离子轨迹密度的恢复，达到略低于原始聚合物的值。提出了一种机制，通过辐射分解产物/材料流从周围区域扩散到低密度轨道核心来解释这种行为。