Model for the formation of helium bubbles in palladium

Abstract

In implantation experiments or in the inner wall of the vessel of nuclear reactors, irradiation of metals with helium damages the material by forming defects. We focus on studying the formation of He bubbles by analyzing the energetics of He atoms in bulk palladium and present a simple model for bubble formation. The model emphasizes that the driving force for the formation of He bubbles is the high energy state of the implanted He.