| Author(s) |
Anshul Kamboj, Kaustubh Bawane, Boopathy Kombaiah, Matthew Mann, Cody Dennett, Mukesh Bachhav, Zhijie Jiao, Amey Khanolkar, Marat Khafizov, David H. Hurley |
| Abstract Scope |
In operational environments, the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of nuclear fuels undergo significant decline, profoundly impacting their performance, durability, and safety. These changes stem from factors such as fission product buildup, gas porosity, and radiation damage. This study delves into the domain of radiation damage, focusing on elucidating the mechanisms governing the evolution of faulted and perfect loops, as well as the unfaulting process and void formation, in single crystal CeO2 exposed to proton irradiation at 600°C and 0.5 dpa. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) annealing experiments at temperatures of 900°C, 1100°C, and 1300°C were conducted to unravel the processes of nucleation, growth, coalescence, annihilation, and unfaulting of faulted loops, critical in shaping defect evolution. Increasing temperatures caused the formation of faulted and perfect loops from existing interstitial defects, eventually leading to the development of extended dislocation lines, while void formation ensued at 1100°C due to vacancy defects. |