Characterization of Vacancy-Related Point Defects in Nuclear Materials

About the project

The importance of both Fusion and Fission Nuclear Energy Technologies is growing. The materials used must be resilient to high levels of typically neutron and gamma-ray radiation. The initial radiation damage event is typically the creation of a missing atom, vacancy, point defect. Conventional materials characterization methods are incapable of directly detecting and identifying point defects. Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) methods have a unique sensitivity to vacancy-related defects and can provide information on the local environment of the centre. This project will use PAS methods to identify vacancy-related point defects in a range of nuclear materials including high-temperature superconductors, SiC, and tungsten. This work will be performed in collaboration with several UK research groups.

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.