Defect annihilation in heavy ion irradiated polycrystalline gold

In this study, we explore the interaction of electron wind force (EWF) with defects originating from ion irradiation in-situ inside a transmission electron microscope. Nanocrystalline gold specimens were self-ion irradiated to a dose of 5 x 10(15) ions/cm(2) (45 displacement per atom) to generate a high density of displacement damage. We also developed a molecular dynamics simulation model to understand the associated atomic scale mechanisms. Both experiments and simulations show that the EWF can impart significant defect mobility even at low temperatures, resulting in the migration and elimination of defects in a few minutes. We propose that the EWF interacts with defects to create highly glissile Shockley partial dislocations, which makes the fast and low temperature defect annihilation possible. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study explores the interaction of electron wind force with defects from ion irradiation in-situ within a transmission electron microscope. It was found that the electron wind force can significantly enhance defect mobility even at low temperatures, leading to defect migration and elimination within a few minutes. This interaction creates highly glissile Shockley partial dislocations, enabling fast and low temperature defect annihilation.