Radiation-induced reduction in the void swelling

Vacancy voids have been produced in Ni by 1.2 MeV Cr ion irradiation at 873 K up to the ion fluence of 10²¹ m⁻². Subsequent irradiation of specimens containing voids at 798 and 723 K has resulted in the reduction of the void size and number density. Accordingly, the void swelling has decreased by a factor of ∼5. The experimental results are explained in the framework of an original model taking into account the interaction of voids with radiation-induced excitations of atomic structure such as focusing collisions and long-propagating self-focusing breathers.