Abstract
In materials irradiated with energetic neutrons or charged particles, point defects, clusters, and extended-defect microstructures are produced. Because of the possibility of complete atom-by-atom rearrangement of the material under irradiation, significant changes may result in physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. The theoretical and computational approaches for describing these changes begin with the atomic displacement reactions and follow numerous reaction pathways to an evolved microstructure and the properties dictated by it. Rate theory based on defect reactions has been developed to understand these processes. It is the only approach that spans the large time, spatial, and energy ranges from defect production to changes in macroscopic properties. It has been most thoroughly applied to the phenomena of radiation-induced dimensional changes, particularly swelling and creep. This emphasis has derived both from the importance of these phenomena in technological applications and from their scientific challenge.
Published Version
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