A quantitative continuum approach to displacement spike phenomena in solids

A mathematical model of displacement spike (DS) type radiation damage dynamics based on shock wave (SW) propagation treated by methods of continuum mechanics is presented. With viscosity, heat conduction, initial approximation, and strength effects accounted for, the numerical integration of the appropriate system of differential equations with an adequate equation of state yields DS parameters in good quantitative agreement with those obtained by field-ion microscopy, some of the measured values being at variance with more conventional theoretical predictions. The residual temperature rise (DS initiated thermal spike), formerly believed of major importance, in the framework of the present model proves negligible. Potential applications of the developed approach to the analysis of some attendant effects are pointed out.