An HVEM Investigation of In-Situ, Self-Ion Damage in Iron at 40 and 300 K

Bombardments of iron (commercially pure) with self-ions having energies of 50 and 100 keV were performed in–situ in a High–Voltage Electron Microscope at temperatures of 40 and 300 K. The resulting damage microstructures were examined at the irradiation temperature in the HVEM using 200, 300, 500 and 1000 keV electrons (damage threshold in Fe is ∼330 keV). Dislocation loop densities were measured as functions of ion dose, ion energy, irradiation temperature, electron dose (500 keV), and step annealing to room temperature. Loop geometries, size distributions, and nature (interstitial or vacancy) were also determined.