ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Apr 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
May 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
J. M. Perlado, E. Domínguez, D. Lodi, L. Malerba, J. Marian, J. Prieto, M. Salvador, T. Díaz de la Rubia, E. Alonso, M. J. Caturla, L. Colombo
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 579-584
Fusion Materials | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963299
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The change in SiC properties under neutron irradiation is being experimentally assessed but it is actually far from being well understood. Using Molecular Dynamics (MDCASK-DENIM/LLNL), we show the existence of recombination barriers (metastable defects), and how they affect the cascade analysis. Displacement cascades have been systematically studied and the different role of both sublattices examined. Low-temperature amorphization by damage accumulation has been successfully simulated using MD in accordance with experiments, allowing the understanding (not possible from experiments) of the atomistic sequence of damage. We are also developing new methodologies (tight binding MD) to prove the adequacy of the interatomic potential to describe energetic of configurations needed for diffusion in SiC. The neutron source from target is obtained with time resolution, together with responses after transport in the IFE reactor. The comparison of different primary knock-on atom (PKA) energy spectra from different fusion reactors is given, which is a basic information for displacement cascade analysis. Those spectra are a direct consequence of the neutron spectra in the material (depending on protection). Supported by recent work on atomistic level, the effect of pulsed irradiation was concluded. The time between pulses has a key role in the annealing process of defects. The comparison with average continuous irradiation, and the different behaviour for vacancies and interstitials, are highlighted.