It is shown that a binary solid solution under irradiation may become unstable when vacancy-interstitial mutual recombination takes place, while it would be (linearly) stable in the absence of recombination, for the same average defect concentration. The general conditions for this to occur are elucidated and are not very restrictive. Available models for solid solutions under irradiation may exhibit the predicted loss of stability. This points to the possibility of radiation-induced precipitation being an example of the formation of dissipative structures in solids.

• Received 30 March 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.21.2122