Module C1 : The Physics of Irradiated Materials

Informations générales

Objectif(s)

 Detailed description of the effects at the atomic and micron scales of irradiation by energetic particle.
The course will address (1) the formation of the initial point defects (vacancies/interstitials) by interaction of energetic particles in crystals, (2) the diffusion of the point defects to form larger clusters that constitute the irradiation microstructure, (3) the influence of irradiation on segregation and phase stability in alloys, (4) the influence of irradiation on dislocations (transformation of irradiation defects into dislocation loops, interaction between dislocations and irradiation defects).
The different notions will be illustrated by atomic and micron-scale simulations methods: Monte Carlo Method, Cluster Dynamics, Molecular Dynamics, Dislocation Dynamics. The basics of the methods will be addressed during the lecture and lab sessions will be organized to apply the methods to practical cases.

 

Responsable(s)

Yves Bréchet (Grenoble INP), Christophe Domain (EDF), Marc Fivel (CNRS), Frédéric Soisson (CEA)

Contenu(s)

  • C11 :  Irradiation defects (10h) (C. Domain, EDF)
    • Fundamentals of DFT (Density Functional theory) and application to irradiation damage
    • The displacement cascade (displacement threshold, PKA, influence of crystallinity)
    • Experimental irradiations and realism with respect to irradiations in power plants (difficulties related to active materials, irradiation spectrum, manipulation ...)
    • Molecular Dynamics applied to displacement cascadesPoint defects (interstitials, vacancies in different crystallographic structures, complex impurity/interstitials and vacancies, point defects in ceramics)
    • Electronic microscopy applied to the analysis of irradiated microstructures

  • C12 : Irradiation microstructures (12h) (F. Soisson, CEA)
    • 8h : Diffusion of point defects (rate theory, defect reactions (recombination, sinks), Kirkendall effect)
    • 2h : Monte Carlo method
    • 2h : Cluster Dynamics (long-term evolution)
    • 4h : Physical effects of irradiations :  Segregation et phase transformations induced by irradiations (including transmutation-induced transformations, amorphization)  
  • C13 : Dislocation and irradiation defects
    • 6h : Dislocation microstructure (faulted loops and tetrahedra, nucleation and growth of dislocation loops, dislocation climb) (M. Fivel, CNRS)
    • 2h : Dislocation Dynamics  (M. Fivel, CNRS)
    • 2h : Voids and bubbles  (M. Fivel, CNRS)

  • Practical sessions on computers (20h):

    •  4h: simulation by Molecular Dynamics of a displacement cascade (C. Domain, EDF)

    • 4h: simulation by Monte Carlo of precipitate growth (F. Soisson, CEA)

    • 4h: simulation by Cluster Dynamics of defect growth(F. Soisson, CEA)

    • 4h: simulation by Molecular Dynamics of the interaction between dislocations and irradiation defects (C. Domain, EDF)

    • 4h: simulation by Dislocation Dynamics of the interaction between dislocations and irradiation defects (M. Fivel, CNRS)