Anomalous evolution of the ion-induced surface relief of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The modification of the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) under 10, 20 and 30 keV Ar+ ions irradiation with fluence 1018 cm−2 at the irradiation temperature of 250°C has been studied experimentally. An anomalous growth of the ion-induced surface relief of HOPG have been found. This effect, like the well-known effect of anomalous deep embedded argon ions in HOPG, is analyzed within the framework of plastic deformation mechanisms in graphite.