Diffuse x-ray scattering studies on defect clusters in Ni irradiated by high-energy ions and electrons

Pure Ni was irradiated with high-energy (150MeV Phosphorus) ions up to doses of 5.3 x 1013, 1.6 x 1014 and 4.1 x 1014 ions/cm2 and with 2MeV electrons up to 3 x 1018 e/cm2. The resulting defect structures were studied at room temperature using diffuse X-ray scattering (DXS) methods. The size distribution of dislocation loops was analyzed by fitting the theoretical diffuse X-ray scattering intensities of the increase. This implies that a vacancy-loop was formed by single cascade. On the other hand, the size of interstitial loops for the case of high-energy ion-irradiation was smaller than that for electron-irradiation, indicating the annihilation of free interstitials contributing to the formation of large interstitial-loops for high-energy ion-irradiation. (author)