Steady-state size distribution of voids in metals under cascade irradiation

Abstract

The theory of radiation damage in metallic materials predicts that under cascade-irradiation conditions the voids should approach a steady state, which is characterised by a maximum mean void size. It is shown in this Letter that the steady-state size distribution of voids is described by an error function with the maximum size mentioned above to be the most probable value. The evolution of voids towards the steady state is analysed.