Rate theory modeling a vacancy mediated intra-granular fission gas bubbles growth in amorphous $U_3Si_2$

TL;DR

This paper develops a rate theory model for intra-granular fission gas bubble growth in amorphous U3Si2, incorporating defect sinks and clustering, revealing universal size distribution and scaling laws, and comparing results with experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized rate theory model that accounts for defect sinks and clustering, providing new insights into bubble size distribution and growth in amorphous U3Si2.

Findings

Universal bubble size distribution function identified

Scaling law for bubble growth established

Model predictions align with experimental data

Abstract

A model for gas bubble behavior in irradiated amorphous $U_3Si_2$ is generalized to take into account local influence of sinks for point defects and gas atoms as far as defect clustering resulting in growth of dislocation loops. A universality of bubble size distribution function and scaling law of bubble size growth is revealed. Temperature dependencies of main quantities governing bubble growth are discussed. Local distribution of bubbles and dislocation loops inside grains is studied in details to illustrate bubble size change in the vicinity of grain boundaries and estimate local swelling. Obtained data are compared with experimental and numerical studies.