DEFECT SUPPRESSION BY SWIFT HEAVY IONS IN He IRRADIATED nc-ZrN

摘要

Recent studies have shown that swift heavy ion irradiation may significantly modulate hydrogen and helium behavior in some materials. This phenomenon is of considerable practical interest for various ceramics and semiconductors, specifically for candidate materials for use as inert matrix fuel hosts. These materials accumulate helium via (n,α) reactions and will also be subjected to irradiation by high energy fission fragments in the nuclear reactor environment. The inherent properties of ZrN has led to its identification as a candidate material for use as an inert matrix fuel host. Various studies have indicated that some nanocrystalline (nc) materials have improved radiation tolerance compared to their micro- and single-crystalline counterparts. This suggests that nc-ZrN may have properties which are ideal for inert matrices. Low energy He ions were used to simulate the effects of a particles. High energy Xe and Bi ions were used to simulate the effects of fission fragments in nc-ZrN. The combined effects of these types of radiation are also studied as the fuel host will be subjected to both in the nuclear reactor core.