Real-time vacancy concentration evolution revealed via heavy ion irradiation experiments

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in situ ion irradiation transient grating spectroscopy (I3TGS) can monitor real-time vacancy concentration evolution in Cu alloys, aligning with simulations and offering a non-destructive defect analysis method.

Contribution

The study introduces the use of I3TGS for real-time, non-contact monitoring of vacancy dynamics during ion irradiation in metals, validated by experimental and simulation data.

Findings

SAW frequencies reveal vacancy concentrations and kinetics in real-time

Results agree with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

TGS is effective for non-destructive defect monitoring

Abstract

We show that in situ ion irradiation transient grating spectroscopy (I3TGS) can be used to monitor the real-time evolution of vacancy concentration generated by self-ion radiation damage in Cu-based alloys. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) frequencies are shown, using a combination of theory and experiment, to reveal vacancy concentrations and their kinetics in real-time. These results are shown to agree with corresponding kinetic Monte Carlo simulations at similar temperatures and dose rates. These results suggest the utility of TGS as a non-contact, non-destructive tool for real-time defect monitoring.