Multiscale modelling for fusion and fission materials: the M4F project

The M4F project brings together the fusion and fission materials communities working on the prediction of radiation damage production and evolution and its effects on the mechanical behaviour of irradiated ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels. It is a multidisciplinary project in which several different experimental and computational materials science tools are integrated to understand and model the complex phenomena associated with the formation and evolution of irradiation induced defects and their effects on the macroscopic behaviour of the target materials. In particular the project focuses on two specific aspects: (1) To develop physical understanding and predictive models of the origin and consequences of localised deformation under irradiation in F/M steels; (2) To develop good practices and possibly advance towards the definition of protocols for the use of ion irradiation as a tool to evaluate radiation effects on materials. Nineteen modelling codes across different scales are being used and developed and an experimental validation programme based on the examination of materials irradiated with neutrons and ions is being carried out. The project enters now its 4th year and is close to delivering high-quality results. This paper overviews the work performed so far within the project, highlighting its impact for fission and fusion materials science.This work has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No. 755039 (M4F project)

Coherent π0 photoproduction on the deuteron up to 4 GeV

The differential cross section for 2H(γ,d)π0 has been measured at deuteron center-of-mass angles of 90° and 136°. This work reports the first data for this reaction above a photon energy of 1 GeV, and permits a test of the apparent constituent counting rule and reduced nuclear amplitude behavior as observed in elastic ed scattering. Measurements were performed up to a photon energy of 4.0 GeV, and are in good agreement with previous lower energy measurements. Overall, the data are inconsistent with both constituent-counting rule and reduced nuclear amplitude predictions

Measurements of Deuteron Photodisintegration up to 4.0 GeV

The first measurements of the differential cross section for the d(γ,p)n reaction up to 4.0 GeV were performed at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Thomas Jefferson Laboratory. We report the cross sections at the proton center-of-mass angles of 36°, 52°, 69°, and 89°. These results are in reasonable agreement with previous measurements at lower energy. The 89° and 69° data show constituent-counting-rule behavior up to 4.0 GeV photon energy. The 52° and 36° data disagree with the counting-rule behavior. The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) model of nuclear reactions involving reduced amplitudes disagrees with the present data.U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundatio

Role of Ni, Si and P on the formation of solute-rich clusters under irradiation in Fe-Cr alloys

International audienceAfter irradiation of Fe-Cr alloys of low purity (model alloys of F-M steels), minor solute elements as P, Ni and Si have been shown to create solute clusters which significantly contribute to hardening and might be associated with small dislocation loops. In order to understand the role of each impurity on the formation of the nano-features formed under irradiation and the eventual synergies between the different species, Fe-15at.%Cr-X (X=Si, Ni, P, NiSiP) alloys of different composition have been ion irradiated and characterized using atom probe tomography. Irradiation were performed at 300 °C up to 2.5 dpa in four alloys: Fe15CrNi, Fe15CrSi, Fe15CrP and Fe15CrNiSiP. Influence of C atoms implanted during irradiation on the nanostructure evolution is also discussed. The study of the evolution of the nanofeatures formed under irradiation with the dose as a function of the composition highlights the role of P and C on the formation of the nano-clusters and confirm the radiation-induced nature of solute-rich clusters

Role of Ni, Si and P on the formation of solute-rich clusters under irradiation in Fe-Cr alloys

International audienceAfter irradiation of Fe-Cr alloys of low purity (model alloys of F-M steels), minor solute elements as P, Ni and Si have been shown to create solute clusters which significantly contribute to hardening and might be associated with small dislocation loops. In order to understand the role of each impurity on the formation of the nano-features formed under irradiation and the eventual synergies between the different species, Fe-15at.%Cr-X (X=Si, Ni, P, NiSiP) alloys of different composition have been ion irradiated and characterized using atom probe tomography. Irradiation were performed at 300 °C up to 2.5 dpa in four alloys: Fe15CrNi, Fe15CrSi, Fe15CrP and Fe15CrNiSiP. Influence of C atoms implanted during irradiation on the nanostructure evolution is also discussed. The study of the evolution of the nanofeatures formed under irradiation with the dose as a function of the composition highlights the role of P and C on the formation of the nano-clusters and confirm the radiation-induced nature of solute-rich clusters

Review of the Senegalo-Malian shear zone system – Timing, kinematics and implications for possible Au mineralisation styles

International audienceThe Kédougou Kénieba Inlier (KKI) of eastern Senegal forms a typical Paleoproterozoic greenstone belt characterised by low-metamorphic sequences of volcanic rocks and volcano-sediments that have been intruded at various stages by gabbroic suites and calc-alkaline granitoids. The main structures of the KKI comprise two anastomosing structures about N–S trending shear belts that are distinguished into the western Main Transcurrent Zone (MTZ) and the eastern Senegalo-Malian shear zone system (SMSZ). These shear belts are taken to define the limits between the western Mako, the central Diale-Kéniebandi and the eastern Daléma-Kofi domains even though transitions exist between their characteristic deposition sequences.Remote sensing analysis of airborne geophysics and satellite data (Landsat, ENVI, SRTM) in combination with geological field mapping, structural analysis and geochronology suggests that the SMSZ represents a Birimian structure that records a main stage of deformation that could characterise the major transcurrent Eburnean tectonics (D2) dated from 2105 Ma (Feybesse et al., 2006a–e). This sinistral transpressive deformation marked by a major constraint oriented NNW–SSE, is accompanied by a NNE–SSW extension leading to the opening of dilational areas such as small pull-apart basins marked by local calk-alkaline volcanic sequences and several coeval intrusions of the Boboti Suite dated 2080 ± 0.9 Ma (Hirdes and Davis, 2002). A post-Birimian to pre-Neoproterozoic deformation post dates the transcurrent phase and is marked by regional N–S extension.Review of the existing Au-mineralisation models in combination with the spatial analysis of soil geochemical data suggest seven possible mineralisation styles that are related to the transpressional tectonics and coeval magmatism

DNA-based relatedness of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes using DNA amplification fingerprinting

DAF technology applied to two parental inbred lines (ITS 84-2049 and 524 B) and four other selected varieties of cowpea (Mougne, Ndiambour, Mouride and Diogoma) revealed informative and reproducible banding patterns. The different lines showed several common bands but also some specific ones which attest of intra-varietal diversity also revealed by the inheritance of agronomical and botanical traits. The abundance of DNA bands showed that DAF markers are very informative for the determination of genotypic variation in cowpea, and suggests that these markers can be used for breeding purpose to quickly analyze and efficiently identify candidates for crossing. These markers are also an excellent complement to RAPD and RFLP markers already integrated into the cowpea map established at UC Davis California). DAF analysis and PAGE/SS are easy and very powerful technologies to screen the national cowpea germplasm collection in Senegal

Effets d’endommagement sur la migration du deutérium dans le carbure de bore

International audienc