Fluctuations of point-defect fluxes to sinks under cascade damage irradiation

The arrival rates of point defects at sinks are not deterministic, but probabilistic and fluctuate with time because of the random nature of diffusing jumps and cascade occurrence. The influence of such fluctuations on the evolution of different sink types is analyzed, and discussed in comparison with literature. The 'diffusion coefficients' of the size-distribution function for several sink types (voids, interstitial and vacancy loops and clusters) are derived from first principles. The 'diffusion coefficient' for the fluctuations of the climb rate of network dislocations is also calculated. The application of the present formalism to the evolution of the primary clusters of point defects generated during cascade damage is also discussed. (orig.)