A Review of Cluster Dynamics in Studying Radiation Damage: Dominant Factors and Practical Implications

Radiation damage to structural materials is a pivotal concern impacting the safety and stability of nuclear energy systems. The microstructure alterations induced by irradiation encompass defect generation, diffusion, and interaction over extended durations. Cluster dynamics (CD), a mesoscopic simulation method, has proved instrumental in studying the protracted evolution of microstructures. By solving the master equations that describe a series of cluster growth processes in CD models, we can facilitate the computation of physical quantities, including defect cluster size, number density, and volume fraction, thereby unveiling the mechanism governing cluster evolution. Stimulated by recently renewed interest in mesoscale simulations, this review examines critical factors in CD, such as cluster mobility, intra-cascade cluster formation, temperature, and radiation conditions, shedding light on their significant roles in shaping long-term cluster evolution. Furthermore, the application of CD models in modeling different irradiation effects on nuclear materials is expounded, encompassing irradiation-induced cluster nucleation and growth, precipitation, and swelling. Finally, we provide a summary of the limitations inherent in CD models and outline prospects for enhancing their effectiveness in elucidating the evolution mechanism of microstructures under irradiation conditions. © The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2024.