| Abstract Scope |
Radiation effects in materials are governed not only by atomic displacements, but also by electronic excitations generated as energetic particles lose energy to electrons. While displacement damage has long been central to the field, the role of intense ionizing radiation remains less fully understood. Building on the pioneering contributions of William J. Weber to radiation damage, amorphization, defect recovery, ion channeling, and ionization effects, this presentation highlights recent studies of coupled electronic and atomic processes under irradiation. We show that ionizing energy loss can significantly alter defect production, migration, recombination, and annealing in ceramics and metal alloys. Broader implications are discussed for complex carbides, nitrides, oxides, and high-entropy materials, where mixed bonding, chemical disorder, and electron–phonon coupling strongly influence radiation response. These findings extend themes central to Dr. Weber’s five-decade legacy, challenge conventional damage models, and suggest new pathways for designing radiation-tolerant materials. |