Multiscale modeling study of pulsed damage accumulation in α-Fe under inertial fusion conditions

Reduced activation ferritic–martensitic (RAFM) steels are being considered as candidate materials for the first structural wall of a future fusion reactor, due to their high resistance to neutron irradiation. A combination of molecular dynamics and kinetic Monte Carlo has been utilized to analyze and assess the change and evolution of the microstructure in irradiated α-Fe, the main component of RAFM steels. We discuss how the pulse frequency, 1 and 10 Hz, may affect the damage production and accumulation. Dose rates of 0.1 and 0.01 dpa/s will be considered in order to represent the damage suffered by a protected first structural wall. These results will be compared with previous work on the subject and with those achieved with continuous irradiation at similar average dose rate.