Materials analysis and modification
LIP is providing nationwide access to the MeV ion beam analysis techniques RBS, PIXE, ERDA, NRA and STIM. A large part of the associated instrumentation was developed in-house. With a persistent effort the equipment is being improved by putting into practice the acquired basic knowledge of ion-matter interaction. LIP members are involved in a large number of collaborative projects where the analysis techniques are employed to develop new materials, surface coatings and structures. Between one and two thousand analyses are performed every year for Swiss research institutes and industry.
With the wide range of ion beams from the 6 MV and 1.7 MV accelerators basic investigations of high energy monoatomic and cluster ion impacts are investigated. In research collaborations the irradiation capabilities are used to study radiation hardness of materials, defect formation in crystalline solids, and to develop industrial processes.