A new formulation of sink strengths under steady irradiation: recombination and interference effects

Abstract

The rate theory of irradiation effects in crystalline solids rests on the balance between the production and the annihilation of defects. The annihilation takes place either by mutual recombination or by absorption on sinks. The absorption rate is a function of the sink strength, a factor mainly of geometrical origin attached to each type of sink. Following Doan and Martin [Phys. Rev. B 67 134107 (2003)], an alternative definition of the sink strength is used which, at variance with the classical one, depends on the irradiation conditions and ensures, by construction, a correct partitioning of defect elimination between recombination and absorption on sinks. The correction factors for individual sink strengths can reach several orders of magnitude. Interference effects between sinks can also be introduced and calculated analytically.