In many ceramic solids, the number of primary displaced ions is different f
or different sublattice components, either because the ion masses and displ
acement energies differ in simple binary collisions (like in alumina) or be
cause radiolytic displacements occur on a single sublattice (like in halide
s). However, irradiation produces not only metal colloids or gas precipitat
es, but stoichiometric dislocation loops, and voids as well. We propose a s
econdary displacement mechanism of vacancy production at a dislocation as a
result of its interaction with a primary interstitial ion in another subla
ttice which explains the observed phenomena. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.
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