Computation of sink strengths in complex microstructures
Thomas Jourdan, Gilles Adjanor
Abstract
A method is proposed for calculating sink strengths in complex microstructures, containing several sink types, some of which may be mobile. It is based on the estimation of mean lifetime of defects and on the fraction of defects absorbed by the different sinks. As an application, sink strengths for self-interstitial atoms are calculated with object kinetic Monte Carlo in microstructures containing vacancies and dislocations or grain boundaries. The transition from one-dimensional to three-dimensional diffusion of self-interstitial atoms and the role of vacancy mobility are investigated. Multiple-sink effects on sink strengths are shown to be present for all sinks, but only in specific diffusion regimes of self-interstitial atoms and vacancies. Results are discussed in light of existing expressions of sink strengths , and new expressions are proposed.