Report to the American Physical Society by the study group on physics problems relating to energy technologies: Radiation effects on materials

An APS sponsored study reviewed the state of research and development in radiation effects on materials for the purpose of identifying basic scientific problems which limit progress in energy applications and which could be attacked by physicists, especially those in universities. The field of radiation effects on materials has particular application throughout fission and fusion reactor technology, and the technological problems associated with these reactors were reviewed. Important scientific problem areas discussed included mechanical properties, point defects, voids and dislocations, theory of damage production, charged particle simulation of neutron damage, hydrogen and helium in materials, interaction of surfaces and radiation, insulators, semiconductors, and superconductivity. In addition to many detailed suggestions, the study recommended increased effort on the following most important problem areas: A firm experimental and theoretical base for ion and electron simulation of neutron damage should be established. Increased emphasis should be placed on understanding the effects of impurities on the production, migration, and agglomeration of radiation produced defects, particularly the nucleation and growth of voids and dislocation loops. The experimental and theoretical understanding of mechanical properties as they are affected by point defects and their agglomerates, impurities, and defect-impurity combinations should be established. Experimental and theoretical understanding should be established for the dynamic effects of high flux irradiations such as enhanced diffusion, creep, precipitation, and re-solution. To aid the application of basic science to technology, increased university and laboratory cooperation was recommended