α→ω phase transformation induced in titanium during ion irradiations in the electronic slowing-down regime

Abstract

Abstract This letter shows that the displacive phase transformation from the h.c.p. α-phase to the hexagonal co-phase can be triggered in titanium targets in an unusual way during swift heavy ion irradiations. This unexpected result is a consequence of the high level of energy deposition in electronic excitation. A model based on the Coulomb explosion mechanism can account for such a phase transformation.