Abstract
Chemical erosion of graphite due to hydrogen ion bombardment has been investigated theoretically by applying a model of chemical erosion to the TRIDYN code. The model involves the formation of methane at the end of the ion track as well as the kinetic emission of hydrocarbons from the target surface. Model calculations were performed for ion energies ranging from 10 to 1000 eV and at target temperatures ranging from 300 to 900 K. Good agreement between calculated and measured erosion yields is obtained. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.