Two-stage synergy of electronic energy loss with defects in LiTaO₃ under ion irradiation

Understanding energy dissipation in electronic and atomic subsystems and subsequent defect evolution is a scientific challenge. Separate and combined effects of electronic and nuclear energy deposition in z-cut LiTaO₃ have been investigated. Irradiation of pristine LiTaO₃ samples with 2 MeV Ta ions leads to amorphization due to atomic displacement damage, described by a disorder accumulation model. While 21 MeV Si ions do not produce significant damage in pristine LiTaO₃, introduction of pre-existing defects sensitizes LiTaO₃ to the formation of ion tracks from the electronic energy loss by 21 MeV Si ions that induce a synergistic two-stage phase transition process.(Image Presented). Impact statement Experimental study shows that the introduction of pre-existing defects prior to high energy irradiation sensitizes LiTaO₃ to ion track formation leading to a synergistic two-stage phase transition process.