Point Defects Patterning In Irradiated -Zirconium: Numerical Study In The Framework Of The Rate Theory

We study point defects patterning in irradiated -zirconium numerically. In our consideration, we exploit reaction-rate theory by taking into account sink density dynamics and a change in internal stress fields due to the presence of defects. Dynamics of defect populations are studied at different irradiation conditions. It is found that point defects patterning is accompanied by a formation of vacancy clusters; their morphology change is governed by irradiation temperature and damage rate. By using statistical analysis of spatially distributed vacancy clusters, it was shown that the characteristic size of these clusters is of several nanometers. Vacancy clusters' occupation densities and distributions over their sizes are studied in detail.