arXiv subjects

Duc Nguyen-Manh

Publications and source records attributed to Duc Nguyen-Manh.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials for Structural and Defect Properties of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$

High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) such as YBa2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) are essential for next-generation Tokamak fusion reactors, where Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxides (REBCO) form the functional layers in HTS magnets. Because YBCO's superconductivity depends strongly on oxygen stoichiometry and defect structure, atomistic simulations can provide crucial insight into radiation-damage mechanisms and pathways to maintain material performance. In this work, we develop and benchmark four Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials (MLPs) for YBCO: the Atomic Cluster Expansion (ACE), the Message-Passing Atomic Cluster Expansion (MACE), the Gaussian Approximation Potential (GAP), and the Tabulated Gaussian Approximation Potential (tabGAP), trained on an extensive Density Functional Theory (DFT) database explicitly designed to include irradiation-damaged-like configurations. The resulting models achieve DFT-level accuracy across a wide range of atomic environments, faithfully capturing the interatomic forces relevant to radiation damage processes. Among the tested models, MACE delivers the highest accuracy, although at greater computational cost, while ACE and tabGAP provide an excellent balance between efficiency and fidelity. These machine-learned potentials establish a robust foundation for large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of radiation-induced defect evolution in complex superconducting materials

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Insights Into Radiation Damage in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ From Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials

Accurate prediction of radiation damage in YBa$_2$Cu$3$O${7-δ}$ (YBCO) is essential for assessing the performance of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes in compact fusion reactors. Existing empirical interatomic potentials have been used to model radiation damage in stoichiometric YBCO, but fail to describe oxygen-deficient compositions, which are ubiquitous in industrial Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxide conductors and strongly influence superconducting properties. In this work, we demonstrate that modern machine-learned interatomic potentials enable predictive modelling of radiation damage in YBCO across a wide range of oxygen stoichiometries, with higher fidelity than previous empirical models. We employ two recently developed approaches: an Atomic Cluster Expansion (ACE) potential and a tabulated Gaussian Approximation Potential (tabGAP). Both models accurately reproduce Density Functional Theory (DFT) energies, forces, and threshold displacement energy distributions, providing a reliable description of atomic-scale collision processes. Molecular dynamics simulations of 5 keV cascades predict enhanced peak defect production and recombination relative to a widely used empirical potential, indicating different cascade evolution. By explicitly varying oxygen deficiency, we show that total defect production depends only weakly on stoichiometry, offering insight into the robustness of radiation damage processes in oxygen-deficient YBCO. Finally, fusion-relevant 300 keV cascade simulations reveal amorphous regions with dimensions comparable to the superconducting coherence length, consistent with electron microscopy observations of neutron-irradiated HTS tapes. These results establish machine-learned interatomic potentials as efficient and predictive tools for investigating radiation damage in YBCO across relevant compositions and irradiation conditions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

The effect of multi-occupancy traps on the diffusion and retention of multiple hydrogen isotopes in irradiated tungsten and vanadium

We propose a computational scheme for the diffusion and retention of multiple hydrogen isotopes (HI) with multi-occupancy traps parameterized by first principles calculations. We show that it is often acceptable to reduce the complexity of the coupled differential equations for gas evolution by taking the dynamic steady state, a generalisation of the Oriani equilibrium for multiple isotopes and multi-occupancy traps. The effective gas diffusivity varies most with mobile fraction when the total gas concentration approximates the trap density. We show HI binding to a monovacancy in vanadium produces a non-monotonic dependence between diffusivity and gas concentration, unlike the tungsten system. We demonstrate the difference between multiple single occupancy traps and multi-occupancy traps in long-term diffusion dynamics. The applicability of the multi-occupancy, multi-isotope model in steady state is assessed by comparison to an isotope exchange experiment between hydrogen and deuterium in self-ion irradiated tungsten. The vacancy distribution is estimated with molecular dynamics, and the retention across sample depth shows good agreement with experiment using no fitting parameters.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

An empirical potential to simulate helium and hydrogen in highly irradiated tungsten

Materials used in commercial D-T fusion reactors will be exposed to irradiation and a mixture of helium and hydrogen plasma. Modeling the microstructural evolution of such materials requires the use of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. The focus of this study is to develop a fast EAM potential for the interactions among the three elements (W, H, and He), fitted to accurately reproduce both the ab initio formation energies and relaxation volumes of small defect clusters containing light gases within tungsten. The potential enables the study of tungsten under irradiation and in the presence of light gases. To demonstrate the utility of the potential, we construct a thermodynamically motivated model for predicting the energetics of light-gas-filled voids. The model is then validated through molecular dynamics simulations with our new potential.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Threshold Displacement Energies of Oxygen in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$: A Multi-Physics Analysis

Neutron bombardment of high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets may compromise the integrity of the magnetic confinement in future fusion reactors. The amount of damage produced by a single neutron can be predicted from the threshold displacement energies (TDE) of the constituent ions in the HTS materials, such as the Rare Earth Cuperates. Therefore, in this work a Multiphysics simulation approach is adopted to determine the threshold displacement energies for oxygen in YBa2Cu3O7. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to determine statistically representative TDEs for all four oxygen sites and these results are validated using Born-Oppenheimer MD employing forces derived from Density Functional Theory (DFT). The simulations were performed at the operational temperature (25 K) and the temperature of existing neutron irradiation studies (360 K) enabling a discussion about the relevance of this data. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of radiation-induced damage in HTS materials and provide data that can be incorporated into higher order models offering critical insights into shielding design and magnet longevity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Segregation, ordering, and precipitation in WTaV-based concentrated refractory alloys

Tungsten-based low-activation high-entropy alloys are possible candidates for next-generation fusion reactors due to their exceptional tolerance to irradiation, thermal loads, and stress. We develop an accurate and efficient machine-learned interatomic potential for the W-Ta-Cr-V system and use it in hybrid Monte Carlo molecular dynamics simulations of ordering and segregation to all common types of defects in WTaCrV. The predictions are compared to atom probe tomography analysis of segregation and precipitation in WTaCrV thin films. By also considering two other alloys, WTaV and MoNbTaVW, we are able to draw general conclusions about preferred segregation in refractory alloys and the reasons behind it, guiding future alloy design and elucidating experimental observations. We show that the experimentally observed CrV precipitates in WTaCrV form semicoherent bcc-to-bcc interfaces with the surrounding matrix, as coherent precipitates are not thermodynamically stable due to excessive lattice mismatch. The predictions from simulations align well with our atom probe tomography analysis as well as previous experimental observations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

First-principles study of the energetics and the local chemical ordering of tungsten-based alloys

Tungsten (W) is considered a leading candidate for structural and functional materials in future fusion energy devices. The most attractive properties of tungsten for magnetic and inertial fusion energy reactors are its high melting point, high thermal conductivity, low sputtering yield, and low long-term disposal radioactive footprint. However, tungsten also presents a very low fracture toughness, primarily associated with inter-granular failure and bulk plasticity, limiting its applications. In recent years, several families of tungsten-based alloys have been explored to overcome the aforementioned limitations of pure tungsten. These might include tungsten-based high-entropy alloys (W-HEAs) and the so-called tungsten-based "smart alloys". In this work, we present a computational approach that uses first-principles DFT electronic structure calculations to understand the effect of the chemical environment on tungsten-based alloys. In particular, we compared the Special Quasi-random Structure (SQS) and the DFT-coupled Monte Carlo (MC-DFT) methods when investigating the short-range order and elastic properties of two equimolar WCrTaTi and WVTaTi W-HEAs, and two WCrTi and WCrY W-SAs. We found that structures after MC-DFT calculation have lower cohesive energies than SQS structures, with shorter lattice constants, and large elastic properties values. Furthermore, distinct element segregation was studied by calculating the SRO parameter and radius distribution function. The total density of states suggested that the existence of SRO could improve the stability of the structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

An empirical potential for simulating hydrogen isotope retention in highly irradiated tungsten

We describe the parameterization of a tungsten-hydrogen empirical potential designed for use with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of highly irradiated tungsten containing hydrogen isotope atoms, and report test results. Particular attention has been paid to getting good elastic properties, including the relaxation volumes of small defect clusters, and to the interaction energy between hydrogen isotopes and typical irradiation-induced defects in tungsten. We conclude that the energy ordering of defects changes with the ratio of H atoms to point defects, indicating that this potential is suitable for exploring mechanisms of trap mutation, including vacancy loop to plate-like void transformations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

An innovative materials design protocol for the development of novel refractory high-entropy alloys for extreme environments

In the quest of new materials that can withstand severe irradiation and mechanical extremes for advanced applications (e.g. fission reactors, fusion devices, space applications, etc), design, prediction and control of advanced materials beyond current material designs become a paramount goal. Here, though a combined experimental and simulation methodology, the design of a new nanocrystalline refractory high entropy alloy (RHEA) system is established. Compositions of this alloy, assessed under extreme environments and in situ electron-microscopy, revealed both high mechanical strength and thermal stability, grain refinement under heavy ion irradiation and outstanding irradiation resistance to dual-beam irradiation and helium implantation, marked by remarkable resistance to defect generation, growth and coalescence. The experimental and modeling results, which demonstrated notable agreement, can be applied to design and rapidly assess other alloys subjected to extreme environmental conditions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

First principles model for voids decorated by transmutation solutes: Short-range order effects and application to neutron irradiated tungsten

Understanding how properties of materials change due to nuclear transmutations is a major challenge for the design of structural components for a fusion power plant. In this study, by combining a first-principles matrix Hamiltonian approach with thermodynamic integration we investigate quasi-steady state configurations of multi-component alloys, containing defects, over a broad range of temperature and composition. The model enables simulating transmutation-induced segregation effects in materials, including tungsten where the phenomenon is strongly pronounced. Finite-temperature analysis shows that voids are decorated by Re and Os, but there is no decoration by tantalum (Ta). The difference between the elements is correlated with the sign of the short range order (SRO) parameter between impurity and vacancy species, in agreement with Atom Probe Tomography (APT) observations of irradiated W-Re, W-Os, W-Ta alloys in the solid solution limit. Statistical analyses of Re and Os impurities in vacancy-rich tungsten show that the SRO effects involving the two solutes are highly sensitive to the background concentration the species. In quaternary W-Re-Os-Vac alloys containing 1.5% Re and 0.1% Os, the SRO Re-Os parameter is negative at 1200K, driving the formation of concentrated Re and Os precipitates. Comparison with experimental Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and APT data on W samples irradiated at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) shows that the model explains the origin of anomalous segregation of transmutation products (Re,Os) to vacancy clusters and voids in the high temperature limit pertinent to the operating conditions of a fusion power plant.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Elastic dipole tensors and relaxation volumes of point defects in concentrated random magnetic Fe-Cr alloys

Point defects in body-centred cubic Fe, Cr and concentrated random magnetic Fe-Cr are investigated using density functional theory and theory of elasticity. The volume of a substitutional Cr atom in ferromagnetic bcc Fe is approximately 18\% larger than the volume of a host Fe atom, whereas the volume of a substitutional Fe atom in antiferromagnetic bcc Cr is 5\% smaller than the volume of a host Cr atom. Elastic dipole $\boldsymbol{P}$ and relaxation volume $\boldsymbolΩ$ tensors of vacancies and self-interstitial atom (SIA) defects exhibit large fluctuations, with vacancies having negative and SIA large positive relaxation volumes. Dipole tensors of vacancies are nearly isotropic across the entire alloy composition range, with diagonal elements $P_{ii}$ decreasing as a function of Cr content. Fe-Fe and Fe-Cr SIA dumbbells are more anisotropic than Cr-Cr dumbbells. Fluctuations of elastic dipole tensors of SIA defects are primarily associated with the variable crystallographic orientations of the dumbbells. Statistical properties of tensors $\boldsymbol{P}$ and $\boldsymbolΩ$ are analysed using their principal invariants, suggesting that point defects differ significantly in alloys containing below and above 10\% at. Cr. The relaxation volume of a vacancy depends sensitively on whether it occupies a Fe or a Cr lattice site. A correlation between elastic relaxation volumes and magnetic moments of defects found in this study suggests that magnetism is a significant factor influencing elastic fields of defects in Fe-Cr alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Relaxation volumes of microscopic and mesoscopic irradiation-induced defects in tungsten

The low energy structures of irradiation-induced defects have been studied in detail, as these determine the available modes by which a defect can diffuse or relax. As a result, there are many studies concerning the relative energies of possible defect structures, and empirical potentials are commonly fitted to or evaluated with respect to these energies. But recently [Dudarev et al Nuclear Fusion 2018], we have shown how to determine the stresses, strains and swelling of reactor components under irradiation from the elastic properties of ensembles of irradiation-induced defects. These elastic properties have received comparatively little attention. Here we evaluate relaxation volumes of irradiation-induced defects in tungsten computed with empirical potentials, and compare to density functional theory results where available. Different empirical potentials give different results, but some potential-independent trends in relaxation volumes can be identified. We show that the relaxation volume of small defects can be predicted to within 10% from their point-defect count. For larger defects we provide empirical fits for the relaxation volume of as a function of size. We demonstrate that the relaxation volume associated with a single primary-damage cascade can be estimated from the primary knock-on atom (PKA) energy. We conclude that while annihilation of vacancy- and interstitial- character defects will invariably reduce the total relaxation volume of the cascade debris, empirical potentials disagree whether coalescence of defects will reduce or increase the total relaxation volume.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Radiation-induced segregation in dilute Re-W solid solutions

The occurrence of segregation in highly dilute alloys under irradiation is an unusual phenomenon that has so far eluded theoretical explanation. Using ab initio calculations, we are able to explain the origin of radiation-induced rhenium segregation in dilute tungsten-rhenium alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Phase stability of ternary fcc and bcc Fe-Cr-Ni alloys

The phase stability of fcc and bcc magnetic binary Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni, Cr-Ni alloys and ternary Fe-Cr-Ni alloys is investigated using a combination of density functional theory (DFT), Cluster Expansion (CE) and Magnetic Cluster Expansion (MCE). Energies, magnetic moments, and volumes of more than 500 alloy structures are evaluated using DFT, and the most stable magnetic configurations are compared with experimental data. Deviations from the Vegard law in fcc Fe-Cr-Ni alloys, associated with non-linear variation of atomic magnetic moments as functions of alloy composition, are observed. Accuracy of the CE model is assessed against the DFT data, where for ternary alloys the cross-validation error is smaller than 12 meV/atom. A set of cluster interaction parameters is defined for each alloy, where it is used for predicting new ordered alloy structures. Fcc Fe2CrNi phase with Cu2NiZn-like structure is predicted as the global ground state with the lowest chemical ordering temperature of 650K. DFT-based Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are used for assessing finite temperature fcc-bcc phase stability and order-disorder transitions in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys. Enthalpies of formation of ternary alloys calculated from MC simulations at 1600K combined with magnetic correction derived from MCE are in excellent agreement with experimental values measured at 1565K. Chemical order is analysed, as a function of temperature and composition, in terms of the Warren-Cowley short-range order (SRO) parameters and effective chemical pairwise interactions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2014

Trapping of He Clusters by Inert-Gas Impurities in Tungsten: First-Principles Predictions and Experimental Validation

Properties of point defects resulting from the incorporation of inert-gas atoms in bcc tungsten are investigated systematically using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The most stable configuration for the interstitial neon, argon, krypton and xenon atoms is the tetrahedral site, similarly to what was found earlier for helium in W. The calculated formation energies for single inert-gas atoms at interstitial sites as well as at substitutional sites are much larger for Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe than for He. While the variation of the energy of insertion of inert-gas defects into interstitial configurations can be explained by a strong effect of their large atomic size, the trend exhibited by their substitutional energies is more likely related to the covalent interaction between the noble gas impurity atoms and the tungsten atoms. There is a remarkable variation exhibited by the energy of interaction between inert-gas impurities and vacancies, where a pronounced size effect is observed when going from He to Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe. The origin of this trend is explained by electronic structure calculations showing that p-orbitals play an important part in the formation of chemical bonds between a vacancy and an atom of any of the four inert-gas elements in comparison with helium, where the latter contains only 1s2 electrons in the outer shell. The binding energies of a helium atom trapped by five different defects (He-v, Ne-v, Ar-v, Kr-v, Xe-v, where v denotes a vacancy in bcc-W) are all in excellent agreement with experimental data derived from thermal desorption spectroscopy. Attachment of He clusters to inert gas impurity atom traps in tungsten is analysed as a function of the number of successive trapping helium atoms. Variation of the Young modulus due to inert-gas impurities is analysed on the basis of data derived from DFT calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Electronic structure of complex spd Hume-Rothery phases in transition-metal aluminides

The discovery of quasicrystals phases and approximants in Al(rich)-Mn system has revived the interest for complex aluminides containing transition-metal atoms. On one hand, it is now accepted that the Hume-Rothery stabilization plays a crucial role. On the other hand, transition-metal atoms have also a very important effect on their stability and their physical properties. In this paper, we review studies that unifies the classical Hume-Rothery stabilization for sp electron phases with the virtual bound state model for transition-metal atoms embedded in the aluminum matrix. These studies lead to a new theory for spd electron phases\". It is applied successfully to Al(Si)--transition-metal alloys and it gives a coherent picture of their stability and physical properties. These works are based on first-principles calculations of the electronic structure and simplified models, compared to experimental results. A more detailed review article is published in Prog. Mater. Sci. 50 (2005) p. 679-788.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗