Study of radiation-induced structural changes in the near-surface layer of ZrO₂ ceramics caused by He²⁺ irradiation

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine changes in the near-surface layer of ZrO 2 ceramics caused by irradiation with low-energy He 2+ ions, as well as the associated formation of defects and structural deformations. During the experimental work conducted, it was established that the accumulation of deformation-structural distortions is of two stage nature, having a direct dependence on irradiation fluence and, therefore, on atomic displacement value. It was determined that at small atomic displacement values (less than 10 dpa), the main mechanisms of structural distortions are caused by tensile residual stresses, the value of which is less than 0.1 GPa. At the same time, the deformation distortion of chemical bonds has a pronounced anisotropy associated with a more pronounced distortion of the Zr–O I chemical bonds, the distortion of which results in the formation of vacancy defects in the form of V O . During determination of alterations in optical characteristics depending on the atomic displacement value, it was found that the dominant role at small values of dpa (less than 10 dpa) is played by point defects, which influence the formation of obstacles in the form of absorbing centers. In this case, an increase in the irradiation fluence above 10 17 ion cm −2 results in a growth in the linear refractive index, the change of which has a direct correlation with the value of residual stresses in the damaged layer. Certain dependencies of changes in structural features and their relationship with deformation distortions, as well as the accumulation of vacancy defects, can subsequently be used to predict the potential of using these ceramics as materials for new generation nuclear reactors.