Defect accumulation, amorphization and nanostructure modification of ceramics

Abstract

A long-standing objective in materials research is to understand and control the dynamic response of ceramic structures to energy deposition from irradiation. The design of radiation tolerant materials and creation of new functional materials by ion beam modification demand a comprehensive understanding and predictive models of energy deposition, transfer and exchange processes within and between the electronic and atomic subsystems. The exchange of energy between electrons and ions can act to dampen the ionic motion, to inhibit or enhance defect production, or to reduce damage accumulation. Understanding the materials response to both electronic and nuclear energy deposition is a challenge of materials science in diverse fields.