Effect of Proton Irradiation on the Defect Evolution of Zr/Nb Nanoscale Multilayers

Authors :: Dmitriy Krotkevich
Maxim Syrtanov
Andrey G. Kobets
Anton Lomygin
Egor Kashkarov
Krzysztof Siemek
Roman Laptev
Yuriy S. Bordulev
Source :: Metals, Vol 10, Iss 535, p 535 (2020), Metals, Volume 10, Issue 4
Publication Year :: 2020
Publisher :: MDPI AG, 2020.
Abstract: Nanoscale multilayer coatings (NMCs) with different crystal structures are considered as capable of self-healing after radiation damage due to the recombination of vacancies and interstitials. This work is focused on a defect distribution study of NMCs based on Zr/Nb layers (25/25 nm and 100/100 nm) after proton irradiation. Coatings with a total thickness of 1.05 &plusmn<br />0.05 &micro<br />m were irradiated by 900-keV protons using a pelletron-type electrostatic accelerator with an ion current of 2 &micro<br />A for durations of 60 min to 120 min. The influence of the irradiation effect was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD&ndash<br />OES), and Doppler broadening spectroscopy using a variable energy positron beam. The results obtained by these methods are compatible and indicate that defect concentration of Zr/Nb NMCs remains unchanged or slightly decreases with increasing irradiation time.

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