Microbeam, timing and signal-resolved studies of nuclear materials with synchrotron X-ray sources

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2011.10.038· OSTI ID:1039633

Ice, Gene E ^[1]; Specht, Eliot D ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The development of ultra-brilliant synchrotron X-ray sources enables characterization methods that are particularly important for nuclear materials. Here we discuss emerging synchrotron methods with unprecedented signal-to-noise, spatial and time resolution. Microprobe methods are discussed that extend virtually any X-ray characterization measurement to ultra-small sample volumes. This ability is critical to resolve heterogeneities in nuclear materials and for studies on volumes with vastly lower activity than are needed for traditional X-ray characterization. Specific methods discussed include microdiffraction for the characterization of local crystal structure and micro-spectroscopy techniques that allow for characterization of elemental distributions with sensitivity for daughter products, oxidation states and diffusion through buffer layers. Opportunities are also discussed that exploit the high brilliance and pulsed nature of synchrotron radiation to reduce backgrounds from sample radiation and to study materials dynamics.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1039633
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: 1-3 Vol. 425; ISSN 0022-3115; ISSN JNUMAM
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BUFFERS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DIFFUSION
RADIATIONS
SENSITIVITY
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
SYNCHROTRONS
TIME RESOLUTION
VALENCE
X-RAY SOURCES