MeV per nucleon ion irradiation of nuclear materials with high energy synchrotron X-ray characterization

Abstract

The combination of MeV/Nucleon ion irradiation (e.g. 133 MeV Xe) and high energy synchrotron x-ray characterization (e.g. at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source, APS) provides a powerful characterization method to understand radiation effects and to rapidly screen materials for the nuclear reactor environment. Ions in this energy range penetrate ~ 10µm into materials. Over this range, the physical interactions vary (electronic stopping, nuclear stopping and added interstitials). Spatially specific x-ray (and TEM and nanoidentation) analysis allow individual quantification of these various effects. Hard x-rays provide the penetration depth needed to analyze even nuclear fuels.Here, this combination of synchrotron x-ray and MeV/Nucleon ion irradiation is demonstrated on U-Mo fuels. A preliminary look at HT-9 steels is also presented. We suggest that a hard x-ray facility with in situ MeV/nucleon irradiation capability would substantially accelerate the rate of discovery for extreme materials.

Short Communication on “In-situ TEM ion irradiation investigations on U3Si2 at LWR temperatures”

“…To examine the amorphization behavior of U 3 Si 2 at high irradiation dose that corresponds to the typical LWR cycle length, in-pile irradiation (e.g. ATF-1 campaign) or high-energy ex situ ion irradiation experiments [18,19] are necessary. It was observed that at these elevated temperatures (350 • C and 550 • C), nanoscale crystalline domains start to form within the TEM foils at the beginning of ion irradiation (Figs.…”

Temperature Effect of Gas Bubble Evolution in UCN Fuel Kernels Irradiated by Swift Xe Ions

“…In this study, UC1-xNx fuel kernels used has a diameter of ~810 microns. The swift ion irradiation was conducted at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at Argonne National Laboratory [1,2]. Four UC1-xNx fuel kernels were mounted on each of three separate sample stages made of oxygen-free high conductive (OFHC) copper using PELCO high conductivity silver paste.…”

Temperature Effect over Gas Bubble Evolution in Uranium-10 wt.% Molybdenum alloy Irradiated by Swift Xe Ions

“…In order to produce irradiated specimens with a welldefined radiation dose, mechanically polished U-10Mo monolithic discs were directly utilized in this study. The swift ion irradiation was conducted at Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at Argonne National Laboratory [1,2]. Three individual U-10Mo monolithic discs were mounted on each of three separate sample stages made out of oxygen-free high conductive (OFHC) copper using PELCO high conductivity silver paste.…”