A positron annihilation study of the annealing of, and void formation in, neutron-irradiated molybdenum

Abstract

Abstract Positron annihilation has been used in a study of the annealing of molybdenum irradiated at 60°C to the low dose of 1·5 × 1018 fast neutrons cm−2. On the basis of changes observed in positron lifetimes and intensities, it was possible to identify the defect mechanisms responsible for the various annealing stages. In particular it was possible to follow the growth of vacancy clusters with increasing temperature, and to establish the formation of voids above 580°C.