Comparison of point-defect clustering in irradiated CeO2 and UO2: A unified view from molecular dynamics simulations and experiments

The degree to which ceria can be considered as a surrogate for urania is elucidated by molecular dynamics simulations that compare the types of defect clusters formed under irradiation. The simulations and their comparison with experiments suggest that the defect-clustering processes in the two materials are very similar. In particular, both materials form 〈1 1 1〉 Schottky defects and two types of interstitial clusters that, depending on the diffusion conditions, are either charge-neutral dislocation loops or charged cuboctahedral clusters.