“…Material structure and performance can be enhanced or degraded through the reorganization of surfaces, the implantation of chemical species, or the creation of defects depending on the ion species, energy, angle, etc., leading to sputtering, 1,2 accumulation of defects, phase changes, 3 morphological changes, surface structures, 4,5 inducing nanostructures on polymers, 6 semiconductors, 7 and metals. 8 Ion beams can also be used for implantation, 9 waveguide formation, 10 functionalization of interfaces and surfaces, or emulation of exposure to extreme radiation environments, such as outer space or nuclear reactors. [11][12][13][14] Post-irradiation examination (PIE) is typically conducted to examine the impact of irradiation on materials.…”