Radiation-induced segregation in Cu-Au alloys. [1 at. % Au]

Abstract

Radiation-induced segregation in a Cu-1 at. % Au alloy was investigated using in situ Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry. Irradiation with 1.8-MeV He produced nonequilibrium Au atom depletion in the near surface region. The amount of segregation was measured as a function of dose, dose rate and temperature. Segregation was observed between 300 and 500/sup 0/C. For a calculated dose rate of 3.9 x 10/sup -5/ dpa/s, the radiation-induced segregation rate peaked near 400/sup 0/C. Theoretical analysis based on the Johnson-Lam model predicted that the amount of segregation would be directly proportional to dose at the early stage of irradiation, would deviate from linearity with a continuously decreasing slope at intermediate doses, and finally approach a constant value after high doses. The analysis also predicted that the segregation rate would vary as the -1/4th power of the dose rate at constant dose in the low temperature region. These predictions were all verified experimentally. A procedure for extracting relative defect production efficiencies from similar measurements is discussed