Radiation Damage in Fast-Breeder and Fusion Reactors

The production of power by fast-breeder and fusion reactors involves the generation of intense fast neutron fluxes. These neutrons cause void swelling and irradiation creep in the normal operating temperature ranges of the two reactor types and give rise to serious design problems. No facilities exist to permit the accelerated study of fast neutron effects, and strong reliance must be placed on simulation of neutron damage by heavy ions. The techniques of heavy-ion damage studies have been established, and the procedures for damage calculations taken to the stage where ion bombardment is proving a valuable tool in the development of advanced reactors. Transmutation processes are also important in these reactors but generally pose less severe problems in terms of the availability of experimental facilities; 14-MeV neutron effects in insulating materials may be an exception, because they require a high intensity neutron source.