The kinetics of point defects in metals under ion irradiation

Modeling an irradiation process of a copper plate for studying the formation and evolution of point defects, that are vacancies and interstitials, is presented in this work. The point defects formation energies were estimated for fcc Cu using molecular dynamics simulation. These values were applied at calculations of atomic concentrations of vacancies and interstitials by numerically decision of kinetic equations. The results of molecular dynamics simulation showed that the interstitial formation energy is more than the vacancy formation energy. These values are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. The results of calculations of atomic concentrations of defects confirmed that interstitials are more mobile and their absorption by stocks is more intense. (paper)