A phase-cut method for multi-species kinetics: Sample application to nanoscale defect cluster evolution in alpha iron following helium ion implantation

摘要

Many kinetic processes in materials involve clustering of multiple species. Tracking concentrations of all compositions throughout the multi-species phase, space can readily become formidable when significant cluster growth occurs. Here, using nanoscale defect cluster evolution in alpha iron following helium ion implantation as an example, we demonstrate a phase-cut method that can effectively reduce this widely encountered problem. The method cuts out unnecessary compositions in the phase space and hence is much more efficient than a full-phase-space calculation. Yet, it retains the same precision in predicted experimental observables. The cutting of phase space does not require an accurate nucleation and growth path to be known a priori. The method may be applicable to other multi-species kinetic phenomena that are driven by irradiation and/or thermal annealing.