Estimation of point-defect migration energies in -iron by in situ observation of interstitial clusters using high-voltage electron microscopy

Abe, Yosuke  ; Sato, Yuki*; Hashimoto, Naoyuki*

Modeling cluster dynamics or rate theory to describe the microstructural evolution of irradiated materials requires a precise knowledge of the migration energies of point defects, i.e. a self-interstitial atom (SIA) and a vacancy, a product of energetic particle radiation. We measured the time evolutions of the number density and size of SIA clusters in electron-irradiated -iron by in situ observation using high-voltage electron microscopy. By fitting the obtained temperature-dependent quantities to the Arrhenius relations derived by a rate theory analysis, we estimated the point-defect migration energies.