BEHAVIOR AND COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF SIC UNDER IRRADIATION WITH ENERGETIC PARTICLES

This paper reviews previous works focused on fundamental neutron damag e simulations in beta-SiC. The reason ru propose ceramic composites ba sed on SiC, instead of the monolithic form, is concluded. and the effe ct of radiation (neutron irradiation) on the macroscopic responses of the material are shown. Molecular dynamics simulations of threshold di splacement energy, defect energetics, melting point. and 3-5 keV casca des are presented. together with a criticism of various interatomic po tentials such as Pearson, Tersoff, and Modified Embedded Atom Model. M ost of the presented results have been performed with Tersoff's potent ial which has demonstrated a better physics description of the materia l's parameters. The directional dependence of the threshold energy is mentioned, and the consequences of energetic cascades such as potentia l amorphization are compared with results of Si. The effect of the acc umulation of damage. at a rate higher than expected in real Inertial C onfinement Fusion applications is also mentioned. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience B.V.