UKAEA-CCFE-PR(25)332
Disorder and damage recovery in irradiated lithium oxide
Lithium oxide is an important candidate material for tritium breeding in fusion nuclear
reactors. Here we assess the disorder created in Li2O on bombardment by high-energy
neutrons, examining the mechanisms of recovery and the timescales taken to heal the
damaged structure. Steinhardt order parameters distinguish the different local
environments of Li ions in the damaged structure, differentiating between interstitial and
perfect lattice sites. The order parameters are also used to determine the evolution of the
damage with time. We estimate the time needed for healing to return to the pre-damaged
structure over a range of temperatures and show that this is at a minimum at temperatures
close to the working conditions of a breeding blanket.