Gamma-ray irradiation induced dislocation loops in hexagonal zirconium

ABSTRACT

With doses simulating those received by spent nuclear fuel (SNF) facilities, gamma-ray (γ-ray) irradiation experiments were conducted on hexagonal zirconium. γ-ray irradiation–induced crystalline defects were observed in the hexagonal zirconium and characterized. Monte Carlo calculations combined with Transmission Electron Microscopy characterizations revealed that the energy of primary knock-on atoms could reach the threshold energy ($E_d$) of zirconium atoms and result in dislocation loops within the α-zirconium grains. The influence of γ dose on dislocation loop size and number density was also evaluated.

GraphicAbstract

KEYWORDS:

• Γ-ray irradiation
• dislocation loop
• zirconium
• reprocessing
• Monte Carlo simulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability

The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also form part of an ongoing study.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2022.2138604

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province [2020JC-50,2021JQ-976]; Shaanxi Technical Innovation Guidance Special Fund [2020CGXNX-023]; Qinchuangyuan Project of Shaanxi Province [2021QCY1-01]; RMMI research project [Y1905S]; Xi’an Science and Technology Plan Project [2020YZ0028]; Xi'an Postdoctoral Innovation Project.