5. Techniques for characterizing the evolution of materials

In order to understand the mechanisms involved, and to ensure the relevance and robustness of the models used, it is essential to work closely with experimentation, and in particular to characterize microstructural changes and their consequences on the materials' properties in use, as accurately as possible. Fine characterization techniques make it possible to identify the physical phenomena to be modeled and to measure their characteristics, thus providing the empirical data essential to the models, calibrating the parameters and validating the models by comparing their predictions with experience.

With the new techniques available, it is now possible to combine irradiation, modelling and observation on the same scale. Among the techniques used, such as analytical transmission electron microscopy, surface analysis by Auger spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering,...