Radiation-induced structural changes, percolation effects and resistance to amorphization by radiation damage

摘要

We combine simulation, theoretical and experimental results to study radiation damage effects in complex oxides under irradiation. In zircon, we study large density variations in the damaged structure, and show how damage percolation results in the enhanced transport extending to macroscopic lengthscale, and suggest that percolation threshold serve as a benchmark for acceptable waste load in a waste form. In perovskite, we identify common defects in the damaged structure, and relate their stability to chemical bonding. Finally, we formulate the criterion for resistance to amorphization by radiation damage: a material is amorphizable if it is able to form a covalent network.