Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) milling is a mainstay of nano-scale machining. By manipulating a tightly focussed beam of energetic ions, often gallium (Ga+), FIB can sculpt nanostructures via localised sputtering. This ability to cut solid matter on the nano-scale revolutionised sample preparation across the life, earth and materials sciences. Despite its widespread usage, detailed understanding of the FIB-induced structural damage, intrinsic to the technique, remains elusive. Here we examine the defects caused by FIB in initially pristine objects. Using Bragg Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (BCDI), we are able to spatially-resolve the full lattice strain tensor in FIB-milled gold nano-crystals. We find that every use of FIB causes large lattice distortions. Even very low ion doses, typical of FIB imaging and previously thought negligible, have a dramatic effect. Our results are consistent with a damage microstructure dominated by vacancies, highlighting the importance of free-surfaces in determining which defects are retained. At larger ion fluences, used during FIB-milling, we observe an extended dislocation network that causes stresses far beyond the bulk tensile strength of gold. These observations provide new fundamental insight into the nature of the damage created and the defects that lead to a surprisingly inhomogeneous morphology.

Using X--ray micro--diffraction and surface acoustic wave spectroscopy, we measure lattice swelling and elastic modulus changes in a W--1%Re alloy after implantation with 3110 appm of helium. A fraction of a percent observed lattice expansion gives rise to an order of magnitude larger reduction in the surface acoustic wave velocity. A multiscale elasticity, molecular dynamics, and density functional theory model is applied to the interpretation of observations. The measured lattice swelling is consistent with the

This study examines clustering and hardening in W-2 at.% Re and W-1 at.% Re-1 at.% Os alloys induced by 2 MeV W + ion irradiation at 573 and 773 K. Such clusters are known precursors to the formation of embrittling precipitates, a potentially life-limiting phenomenon in the operation of fusion reactor components. Increases in hardness were studied using nanoindentation. The presence of osmium significantly increased postirradiation hardening. Atom probe tomography analysis revealed clustering in both alloys, with the size and number densities strongly dependent on alloy composition and irradiation temperature. The highest cluster number density was found in the ternary alloy irradiated at 773 K. In the ternary alloy, Os was found to cluster preferentially compared to Re. The implications of this result for the structural integrity of fusion reactor components are discussed. Crown

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