Radiation tolerance of Cu/W multilayered nanocomposites

Magnetron sputtered Cu/W multilayer samples with individual layer thicknesses from 2.5 to 50 nm were irradiated by 50 key He ions at ion fluences from 7 x 10(20) to 6 x 10(21) m(-2) at room temperature. Evolution of the interfacial structure during irradiation is monitored by X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, radiation responses on the individual layer thickness and He+ ion irradiation fluence are revealed. The highly morphological stability of the multilayered structure suggests that the interfacial structure and grain boundary can serve as sinks for radiation-induced defects. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.