Loop and Void Formation in Copper During High Voltage Electron Microscope Irradiation
The formation of dislocation loops and voids under neutron, ion, and electron irradiation is well documented. Since irradiation produces Frenkel pairs, the presence of biased interstitial sinks is required for void formation to procede. It is generally accepted that dislocations, generated either by cold-work or irradiation, act as the preferential sinks.During irradiation in the high voltage electron microscope, both interstitials and vacancies are lost to foil surfaces and corresponding denuded zones are set up. As a result of image forces, dislocation loops formed upon irradiation tend to unfault and glide out of the foil. Thus, below a given thickness, the foil is unable to maintain a sufficiently high dislocation density to support void nucleation and growth.