Ion-beam-induced damage mechanisms in pyrochlore-related oxides
EMSL Project ID
50375
Abstract
This project aims to investigate defects induced by ion-beam irradiation in functional oxide systems. Ion-beam irradiation of materials leads to the creation of a range of defects, including Frenkel pairs, anti-site defects, amorphization and dislocations. It remains extremely challenging to predict the defects that will form under different conditions, particularly when the chemical composition of the host material is complex. The development of a systematic experimental approach that facilitates the characterization of defect types and their distributions, as well as their formation mechanisms, can benefit many fields of research, including the development of space-based electronics, semiconductors, and the nuclear fuel cycle. We propose to characterize the evolution of crystal structure, chemistry, and composition using both volume-averaged and local probes. We will first synthesize model, single-crystal pyrochlore oxides using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in EMSL. We will then characterize crystallinity and its evolution after ion irradiation using X-ray diffraction (XRD) in EMSL, followed by measurements of local structural changes using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Based on our experiments, we will conduct density functional theory (DFT) simulations to explore defect formation and energetics. The end goal of this project is to understand primary damage mechanisms, with an eye toward achieving better control over damage tolerance.
Project Details
Start Date
2018-05-08
End Date
2018-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)