Kinetic Monte Carlo studies of the effects of Burgers vector changes on the reaction kinetics of one-dimensionally gliding interstitial clusters

Abstract Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of one-dimensionally diffusing interstitial clusters (dislocation loops) are used to gain insight into their role in microstructure evolution under irradiation. The simulations investigate the changes in reaction kinetics of these defects as a function of changes in the Burgers vector and variation in the size and density of randomly or periodically distributed sinks. In this paper we report on several kinetic Monte Carlo studies intended to elucidate the effects of mixed 1-D/3-D migration relative to pure 3-D and pure 1-D migration. We have investigated the effects of variation of the average distance traveled between Burgers vector changes 〈L〉 on the absorption of individual defects into absorbers of varying size and varying concentration, as well as the effects of variation in 〈L〉 on the time dependence of absorption of a collection of defects into an array of absorbers. Significant effects of Burgers vector changes on the reaction kinetics of the diffusing interstitial clusters are clearly demonstrated. Even when 〈L〉 is large relative to the size and spacing of microstructural features, significant effects of mixed 1-D/3-D migration on reaction kinetics are evident.