In-situ TEM irradiation creep experiment revealing radiation induced dislocation glide in pure copper

In-situ TEM straining experiments were performed on pure copper to investigate the dislocation activity under heavy ion irradiation and high applied stress levels. The unpinning of dislocations from defects followed by glide was observed at levels just below critical for without irradiation. This phenomenon, unraveled first time in copper, has been statistically analyzed using digital image processing. Quantitative analysis pinning lifetimes performed, suggesting that a cascade related mechanism is operative explain radiation induced glide. work provides new insights creep deformation level.