Interface structure and radiation damage resistance in Cu-Nb multilayer nanocomposites*

We use atomistic simulations to show that misfit dislocations in Cu-Nb interfaces can shift location between two adjacent planes by forming pairs of extended jogs, a mechanism that involves removal or insertion of atoms. Different jog combinations give rise to interface structures with unlike densities but nearly degenerate energies, making Cu-Nb interfaces virtually inexhaustible sinks for irradiation-induced point defects and catalysts for efficient Frenkel pair recombination.