A 3D
analysis at the nanoscale has been used to characterize helium-3
nanobubbles in palladium powders aged several years under tritium
to assess their structural characteristics and spatial distribution.
These helium-3 nanobubbles are formed by tritium radioactive decay
and exhibit diameters centered around 2.5 nm. Scanning transmission
electron microscopy (STEM) has been used to acquire tomographic series
on typical zones of the macroscopic specimen containing helium nanobubbles.
Electron tomography data treatments have been achieved, allowing 3D
structural analysis of helium-3 nanobubbles. For the first time, interdistances
between bubbles have been determined with a mean value between 8 and
10 nm. The swelling of the aged material varies between 8 and 18%,
in agreement with macroscopic measurements and modeling.
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