In-situ time-of-flight neutron diffraction of ErD2 (beta phase) formation during D2 loading.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
In an effort to better understand the structural changes occurring during hydrogen loading of erbium target materials, we have performed D{sub 2} loading of erbium metal (powder) with simultaneous neutron diffraction analysis. This experiment tracked the conversion of Er metal to the {alpha} erbium deuteride (solid-solution) phase and then on to the {beta} (fluorite) phase. Complete conversion to ErD{sub 2.0} was accomplished at 10 Torr D{sub 2} pressure with deuterium fully occupying the tetrahedral sites in the fluorite lattice. Increased D{sub 2} pressure (up to 500 Torr at 450 C) revealed {approx}10 % deuterium occupation of the octahedral sites. Subsequent vacuum pumping of the sample at 450 C removed octahedral site occupancy while maintaining tetrahedral deuterium occupancy, thereby yielding stoichiometric ErD{sub 2.0} {beta} phase.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 974400
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2008-3737
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
In situ observation of ErD2 formation during D-2 loading via neutron diffraction
The manifestation of oxygen contamination in ErD2.