Dynamics of drag of self-interstitial clusters by an edge dislocation in iron

Self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters are created in metals under fast neutron irradiation and are believed to interact with dislocations and increase the flow stress. In this paper, atomic-scale computer simulations are used to investigate the dynamic interaction between an edge dislocation and small SIA loops that do not intersect the dislocation glide plane and whose Burgers vector is parallel to it. Such loops can be dragged by a moving dislocation and this effect is simulated as a function of temperature and loop size, spacing, stand-off distance and Burgers vector orientation. The results can be understood in terms of the one-dimensional mobility of SIA loops.