Defect cluster structure and tensile properties of copper single crystals irradiated with 600 MeV protons

The defect microstructures and tensile properties of high purity copper single crystals have been studied after irradiation at room temperature with 600 MeV protons in the dose range from 10(-3) to 10(-1) dpa. The defect number density N of clusters shows a linear dependence with dose up to a saturation value of 4x10(23) m(-3), With a broad transition region between doses of 3x10(-3) and 10(-1) dpa. The increase in critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) induced by the irradiation is proportional to the square root of the dose, up to a dose of 7x10(-3) dpa. These results are compared to those of both fission and fusion neutron irradiations, showing that in room temperature irradiations at low fluences, no recoil spectra effects can be detected.