Thermal evolution of high dose iron implanted sintered alumina

Sintered plates of alumina have been implanted at room temperature with 110 keV⁵⁷Fe⁺ at a dose of 1.2×10¹⁷ ions.cm^?2. The analysis of the Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectrum indicated that implantation introduces iron in alumina in three charge state: Fe²⁺ (two components), Fe⁴⁺ and Fe⁰ (metallic clusters). The evolution of the iron depth distribution during annealings in oxiding or in neutral atmosphere has been followed using the Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Up to 800°C the profile as well as the charge states of iron evolve very slowly. A drastic change occurs' for annealing temperature around 1000°C. The total amount of iron is distributed among α-Fe₂O₃ and α-(Fe_1?x Al _x )₂O₃ precipitates. Some scanning electron micrographs have allowed to locate these precipitates. For highest temperature anneals, up to 1600°C, only substitutional iron remain.