An Evaluation and Validation of the Computer Code SPECTER for use in Nuclear Materials Science Research
Open Access
Author:
Cass, Kevin Richard
Area of Honors:
Nuclear Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Arthur Thompson Motta, Thesis Supervisor Seungjin Kim, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
radiation damage SPECTER Kevin Cass Kevin Cass nuclear engineering nuclear materials science displacement rate
Abstract:
When a material is used in a nuclear reactor, it can suffer radiation-related atomic displacement damage from the intense energetic particle flux. This damage results from the combination of a number of different displacement-causing interactions. These interactions generate an overall atomic displacement rate, which can be calculated by using the concept of a displacement cross section. The atomic displacement rate and its associated displacement cross section can be determined through the use of physics-based codes. In this report, one of those codes, SPECTER, is evaluated. The underlying physics upon which the code is based are reviewed and analyzed. This analysis highlights the capabilities of the code as well as its limitations based on inherent assumptions made by the code developers. Finally, a series of test cases are presented which serve to further evaluate the usefulness of the code for future research in the field of nuclear materials science and engineering. Based on the results of those test cases, it is concluded that SPECTER is useful in determining the impact of individual reactions on overall radiation damage in nuclear reactor materials.
