ISSP UL has coordinated and collaborated with another EUROfusion members, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT, Germany) and CEIT-IK4 (Spain), in a EUROfusion project aimed at better understanding formation of oxide nanoparticles in the ODS steels. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements have been carried out at international synchrotron radiation facilities for ODS steels samples, produced by KIT, CEIT-IK4, and for model materials produced in ISSP. The aim is to obtain unique information regarding local structure of atoms in oxide nanoparticles in ODS materials and to find when and how oxide nanoparticles are formed.
In parallel kinetic Monte-Carlo modelling of oxide nanoparticle formation and growth is performed and supporting ab initio calculations of Y-O clusters and defects in iron matrix are accomplished. This model will be validated with X-ray absorption spectroscopy and other experimental data.
EUROfusion Enabling Research Project "When and how ODS particles are formed? - X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and ab initio modelling of ODS steels", (CfP-WP15-ENR-01/UL-01), 2015-2017 (Head: Dr. habil.phys. J. Purans, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia).