Correlation between cleared channels and surface slip steps in neutron irradiated copper crystals

Abstract

Abstract A technique utilizing electroplating is described for the preparation of specimens for transmission electron microscopy, which show the relation between surface detail and internal structure. The cleared channels in deformed neutron irradiated copper crystals have been correlated with surface slip steps indicating that the surface slip bands are a true representation of the bulk deformation behaviour. The slip steps show a uniform distribution of shear within the central region of the cleared channel, with a decreasing shear strain near the edges. The channel is, however, cleared of irradiation produced defects for approximately the full width of the slip step, indicating that the removal mechanism is relatively efficient. This and other features of the slip process are discussed in terms of the observations.