Characterization of neutron-induced defects in metals by positron annihilation spectroscopy

ORAL

Abstract

The development of radiation-tolerant materials is crucial for the next generation of nuclear fission and fusion reactors. Recent molecular-dynamic simulations predict that nanostructured materials may demonstrate radiation resistance due to effective defect annealing at the grain boundaries. In this work, we investigate and compare neutron-induced defects in copper in the single crystal and ceramic forms. Samples were irradiated by neutrons inside a nuclear reactor and characterized by positron lifetime spectroscopy and Doppler broadening measurements. The study reveals the effect of grain boundaries on defect formation and annealing.

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Authors

  • Tara Gray

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bowling Green State University

  • Petr Stepanov

    Center for Photochemical Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403

  • Brian Knauf

    Electro-Optics Graduate Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio 45469, Bowling Green State University, Washington State University, Nuclear Radiation Center, Washington State University, Electro-Optics Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Nano-C, Inc., U. S. Army Research Laboratory, Professor, TA, None

  • Farida Selim

    Department of Physics and Astronomy and Center for Photochemical Sciences, Bowling Green State University