1. Energetics and kinetics unveiled on helium cluster growth in tungsten
- Author
-
Jinlong Wang, Xiaolin Shu, Liang-Liang Niu, and Ying Zhang
- Subjects
Coalescence (physics) ,Nuclear and High Energy Physics ,Materials science ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanotechnology ,Tungsten ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Kinetic energy ,Potential energy ,Molecular dynamics ,chemistry ,Chemical physics ,Cluster (physics) ,Nuclear fusion ,Helium - Abstract
The energetics and kinetics regarding helium (He) cluster growth in bcc tungsten (W) are unveiled using combined techniques of molecular statics and molecular dynamics. The principal mechanisms accounting for the decrease of system potential energy are identified to be trap mutation, → cluster transformation, loop punching, coalescence between 1/2[1 1-1] and 1/2[1-1-1] loops, and loop capturing. The kinetic barriers associated with these key atomistic events are estimated. This work provides new insights into the complex yet intriguing atomistic evolution sequence of the He cluster and interstitial loop in W-based nuclear fusion materials under irradiation.
- Published
- 2015