Raman signatures from age-dating PuO2 since last calcination

The self-irradiation of PuO2 has been shown to affect the attributes fifteen vibrational bands in Raman spectrum. correspond allowed mode T2g, overtones, defects, and from electronic origin. Defects crystal lattice low-calcination temperature alpha decay origins are responsible for changes band (band position, full-width half maximum (FWHM), intensity). Crystal defects also growth defect bands. temporal behavior can be used estimate age material since last calcination. Laser annealing was reset full crystallinity prior aging study. 240PuO2, with an rate 3.67 greater than 239PuO2, primarily assess decay-induced damage within 3 years. study focused on time-dependent properties T2g FWHM ratio areas bands/T2g were measured through a time period excess data this found very close describing evolution constant X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. local physical spectroscopy parameter XRD indicates strong correlation between two techniques. Although both techniques provide similar age-dating information, contrast few milligram quantities required XRD, requires 10 µm diameter particle