Glide of interstitial loops produced under cascade damage conditions: Possible effects on void formation

In the present communication we first summarize experimental and theoretical evidence for and then discuss the consequences of the production of small glissile self-interstitial loops under cascade damage conditions. We propose the production ('production bias') and the incorporation of such loops into extended sinks such as dislocations and grain boundaries as an efficient driving force for void swelling, in particular in regions adjacent to grain boundaries. We also suggest that void lattice formation may be the result of void alignment caused by the one-dimensional glide of self-interstitial loops. (orig.)