Combining in situ transmission electron microscopy and molecular dynamics computer simulations to reveal the interaction mechanisms of dislocations with stacking-fault tetrahedron in nuclear materials.

In situ straining experiments conducted in a transmission electron microscope have been performed to reveal how dislocations interact with and annihilate isolated stacking-fault tetrahedra, common defect clusters in irradiated face-centered cubic metals. Comparison of the experimental results with the predictions from molecular dynamics computer simulations shows some similarities and some striking differences. The comparison suggests challenges for the simulations and demonstrates how, despite the disparity in operational parameters, the simulations can be used to interpret experimental results. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.