Laser?induced annealing of aged PuO ₂

Plutonium dioxide (PuO2) is an important compound used in nuclear fuel, irradiation targets, and heat sources. As such, improved understanding of its structural spectroscopic properties has numerous applications. Alpha particle-induced damage a PuO2 crystal lattice modifies several Raman spectrum, including band intensities, positions, widths. The decay also induces growth new bands creates electron-trapped defects with luminescent properties. Herein, we show for the first time that laser-induced heating can reverse to aged damaged lattice. Using automated instrumentation single 6–10 ?m spot temperatures above 1,300°C, annealing results restoration T2g intensity concomitant decrease defect intensity, result indicates laser be age-damage PuO2. This approach permitted situ observation temperature-dependent spectral changes, thereby providing insight into thermodynamics alterations radiolytically