Ion track structure and dynamics in SiO2

Differential spatiotemporal distributions of the deposited energy around ion tracks in SiO₂ are calculated using Monte Carlo simulations with input parameters extracted from the complex dielectric function theory. It is shown that the spatial and temporal dependences cannot be separated. The track evolution and the time to reach a given energy deposition are approximately calculated. The track radius is evaluated from the radial distribution of the deposited energy as a function of ion energy. Formation of a visible track due to lattice damage through ionization (latent track), as well as straggling in energy deposition are discussed.