Radiation damage studies on non-metals utilizing measurements made during irradiation

Radiolysis of Salts and Long-Term Storage Issues for Both Pure and Impure PuO{sub 2} Materials in Plutonium Storage Containers

“…associates (1982, 1983) suggested a heterogeneous interstitial nucleation model to account for the growth of F and M centers in alkali halides. The migration energy for H centers is 0.1 eV compared to 0.8-0.9 eV for FÊcenters (Levy 1991, Seinen 1994). These different activation energies lead to mobilities that differ by a factor of 10 10 at 100¡C.…”

“…However, Levy (1991), in his excellent review article, mentions that if the effective temperature of the salt is either appreciably below or above 150¼C, the amount of radiation damage that he had calculated previously would be lower. This temperature-radiation damage relationship is probably one of the main reasons that our experimental data do not suggest high radiation damage.…”

“…References published in the 1950s and the 1960s have been known to be unreproducible; therefore, caution needs to be exercised when one interprets results published during that time (Levy 1991). Two excellent review articles on various aspects of salt radiolysis were recently published: they are Levy (1991) and Lidiard (1998).…”

“…At these predicted dose levels, the amount of defects formed in the salts in plutonium storage containers may vary from 0.1% to 1 mol % or more (Bergsma et Under certain conditions, knowing the defect levels present during irradiation is advantageous, rather than theorizing them from data obtained after irradiation (Levy 1991, Levy et al, 1981, Lidiard 1998). This concept was recognized and taken into account to predict radiation damage in plutonium storage containers.…”

“…Two excellent review articles on various aspects of salt radiolysis were recently published: they are Levy (1991) and Lidiard (1998).…”