ROLE OF SELF-INTERSTITIAL ATOMS ON THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES OFMETALS

Equilibrium concentrations of self-interstitial atoms and divacancies have been determined in Cu by molecular dynamics computer simulations using embedded atom potentials. Near the melting temperature these con centrations an both similar to 10(-6). Owing to the higher mobility of the interstitial atoms, however, they contribute more to diffusion. I n perfect, or pulse-heated crystals, spontaneous Frenkel pair producti on results in even higher interstitial concentrations.