Stability of cascade clusters in gold under energetic heavy ion irradiation

Abstract

Abstract Energetic heavy ion irradiation has been used as a simulation technique for high energy cascade formation in fusion reactor materials irradiated with 14 MeV neutrons. In the present study, the stability of cascade cluster formation in gold under heavy ion irradiation is investigated using an ‘in-situ observation’ facility. Cascade clusters are observed to form instantaneously in gold during elevated temperature irradiation. These clusters are found to be vacancy type and annihilate with short lifetimes. Cascade overlap is believed to cause relatively large loop formation. The number of subclusters in a cascade is decreased at higher temperatures. About 5% of the incident particles produce visible defect clusters (or cluster groups) at 670 K. Defect accumulation processes are also analyzed by simple formulae.