Silicate glass is one of the most important and widely spread technical materials. It is frequently used in the applications where it is exposed to the particle radiations of different energies. Therefore, it is very important to study the changes in glass caused by the radiation both from technical applications point of view (changes in glass properties) as well as from point of view of glass science (changes in glass structure).The project will perform a systematic investigation of changes in glass structure and properties caused by electrons irradiation in different energy ranges from about 3 keV up to MeV's and by proton irradiation (MeV). The compositional changes and inhomogeneities on the micron scale will be characterized by EPMA. Evolution of structural changes will be studied by XPS, NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. Surface topographies will be characterized by AFM and SEM. Moreover, the molecular dynamics simulations will be used as a theoretical tool for the interpretation of the experimental findings. Chemical durability of glass irradiated with electrons/protons will be established and nanoindentation methods will be used for the characterization of mechanical properties. Expected results may enhance the applicability of glass and improve its limiting properties.

The interactions between metals and polymers will be studied using complementary analytical techniques on different metal-polymer and metal-polymer-metal systems. The research is of interest from the fundamental point of view and for broad practical utilization of metal coated polymers in analytical chemistry, electronics, food packaging etc. The specimens will be prepared by sputtering or vacuum deposition of 10-100 nm thick layers of different metals Au, Ag, Pd and Pt on various polymers PET, PMMA, PE and PTFE. The structure characterization will be provided using profilometer, TEM, AAS spectroscopy, RBS, ERD). The electrical resistance and magnetic properties will be measured. Nanointendenter device will be used for the determination of the layers adhesion. The layer morphology will be studied using AFM and SEM. Ion implantation and ion assisted mixing of metal particles and polymer structure will be used for composite preparation. For mobility and diffusion study of metals in polymer substrate RBS, XPS will be used.

Complex investigations of point defects in ZnO are proposed in the present project. Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) including also variable energy PAS using slow positron beam will be used as a principal technique for defect studies. State-of-art ab-initio theoretical calculations will be employed for interpretation of PAS data. Defects in ZnO single crystals will be compared with those in epitaxial and nanocrystalline ZnO thin films. Defects studies will be combined with electrical (temperature-dependent Hall effect, deep level transient spectroscopy) and optical (photoluminescence, optical transmission) measurements in order to find a link between predominant defect configurations and specific electrical and optical properties of ZnO samples. Moreover, in the present project we intend to investigate interaction of hydrogen and nitrogen with point defects in ZnO and influence hydrogen and nitrogen on electrical and optical properties. A new UHV chamber for on-line sputtering of ZnO films will be constructed and connected to slow positron beam. This novel setup enables to perform variable energy PAS investigations of thin ZnO films in-situ during film deposition. It gives us an exclusive possibility to investigate formation of defects and incorporation of impurities into ZnO lattice during film growth.

Preparation and characterization of prospective materials and structures by energetic radiation, upgrading of experimental base of partners, interconnection of universities and academic institutes in research and student education. Basic research topics will be: Modification of polymers by ion beams, plasma and chemical dotation; Electric properties of semiconductors modified by ion beams;Radiation degradation of selected materials;Development and usage of new types of detectors of ionizing radiation; Latent ion tracks in polymers and their usage in construction of sensors; Nano- and micro-structures based on polymers and carbon allotropes and their usage in bio-medicine;Diffusion processes on metal-dielectric boundaries and selforganization in metal-carbon allotropes systems;New materials for opto-electronics based on LiNbO3, LiTaO3, GaN, SiC and polymers; Modification of metal films and nanoparticles by carboran derivatives and controlled chemical reactions on surfaces

This project, aiming at preparation of novel micro- and nano-structured materials and systems, their modification by radiation and other techniques, their characterization by full arsenal of diagnostic methods available at participant laboratories, and the study of their chemical, physico-chemical and bio-properties, is inherently multidisciplinary and its goals cannot be achieved under standard research financing. Cooperation of 4 participants will lead to strong synergetic effect on common research. Attention will be paid to systems with potential application in medicine, tissue engineering, microelectronics, optoelectronics and sensor construction and further to processes of diffusion, aggregation, self-organization, material degradation by irradiation, interaction of cells with new materials and effects of radiation on biological objects (e.g. living cells). Nuclear analytical techniques will be used in material and biomedical and environmental research. The project will involve master and PhD students, who will asquire partical experience in multidisciplinary research.

The materials doped by erbium ions are currently used for optical signal amplification or generation. Important factors influencing the luminescence properties of a lasing ion is the surounding crystal field. In this project we would like to use the ion-implantation technique followed by subsequent annealing as a useful way to influence the crystal field of implanted ion in LiNbO₃, ZnO and special glasses.

This project continue in previous projects SPIRIT no. 117 (2011) and RITA No. 025646 (2007-2009)  .