Speaker
Description
Swift heavy ions deposit enormous electronic energy densities in solids, leading to the formation of latent ion tracks that provide a unique platform for investigating radiation–matter interactions under extreme conditions. Beyond their fundamental scientific significance, ion tracks have emerged as an enabling tool for the fabrication of nanoporous membranes, nanostructures, and advanced functional devices. As one of the major heavy-ion accelerator facilities in Asia, the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) has served as a versatile platform for ion-track research over the past decades. Leveraging the capabilities of HIRFL, extensive efforts have been devoted to both the fundamental understanding of ion-track formation and the development of interdisciplinary applications.
In this presentation, recent ion-track research activities at HIRFL will be reviewed, covering fundamental investigations of track formation and evolution, characterization, transport properties of angstrom channels, and the development of ion-track-enabled functional materials. Emphasis will be placed on the ion-track membranes and functional materials. The integration of ion-track technologies with materials science, optical, and mechanical research will be discussed, illustrating the expanding role of heavy-ion accelerators in fostering interdisciplinary innovation. Perspectives on future opportunities for ion-track science and technology will also be presented.