Ion-solid interactions: current status, new perspectives

In the past half century, we have witnessed an explosive growth of effort in that cross-discipline which is characterized by the deposition of localized high - energy densities in condensed matter by means of energetic ions - the field of ion - solid interactions. In this overview, the fundamental physical processes of ion - solid interaction are outlined. A brief discussion is given of the basic energy transfer mechanisms and the consequences of ion impact into solids such as scattering, sputtering and radiation damage. It is now understood that radiation damage is itself far from being restricted to deleterious and detrimental consequences. Our knowledge of the growing variety of changes in the physical, chemical and biological properties of target materials are growing exponentially. Many valuable beneficial technological applications, some of which we discuss, have their origin in physical processes taking place at the nanometric level.