Atomic Defects in Metals · Sn

This chapter discusses the annealing behavior of tin (Sn). Annealing behavior of the metallic β-phase of Sn has been investigated after electron-irradiation, α-particle irradiation and after plastic deformation. These low temperature experiments are possible because the β-phase can easily be quenched to temperatures below the phase transition (T_p ≈ 290K) due to the very slow phase transformation. Therefore, the broad annealing stage observed in this temperature range after irradiation as well as after plastic deformation might be temptatively attributed to vacancy migration. Complete annealing is observed at 200K after low dose electron irradiation and at 300 K after α-irradiation. Properties of Frenkel defects (FD), self-interstitial atoms (SIA), and vacancy (V) in Sn are provided. Isochronal recovery (Δt = 5 min) of the changes in resistivity and in the superconducting transition temperature after compressional deformation at 4 K is illustrated.