Using a Multi-disciplinary Approach, the First Electron Backscattered Kikuchi Patterns Were Captured for a Plutonium Alloy

Microstructural characterization of plutonium by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) has been previously elusive primarily because of the extreme toxicity and surface oxidation rates associated with plutonium metal. In this work, initial electron backscattered diffraction pattern (EBSP) observations of a plutonium-gallium (Pu-Ga) alloy were made. Samples were prepared using standard metallographic and electropolishing techniques that were performed inside gloveboxes and/or an open front hood to prevent spread of radioactive contamination. A scanning Auger microprobe (SAM), equipped with an ion-gun, was used to characterize and remove surface chemical impurities (in particular carbon (C) and oxygen (O)) and a specially designed vacuum transfer device was used to minimize oxidation during the sample transfer from the SAM to the scanning electron microscope (SEM). EBSD patterns of the -phase (face-centered-cubic) were captured and the experimental techniques and parameters used to perform EBSD characterization are described in detail.