Full Microstructure Control Through Ion-Irradiation

When the interaction between energetic ions and matter is properly engineered, the microstructure of thin metal films can be tailored to the extent that polycrystals are transformed into single crystals through selective grain growth. At this level of control, microstructure engineering resembles painting: using an energetic ion-beam as the "paintbrush" and the metal film as the "canvas", materials scientists can directly "paint" novel, functional materials.