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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
Published on: April 12, 2017
Radiation-induced amorphization resistance and radiation tolerance in structurally related oxides
Kurt E Sickafus1, Robin W Grimes, James A Valdez
1Materials Science and Technology Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Abstract:
Ceramics destined for use in hostile environments such as nuclear reactors or waste immobilization must be highly durable and especially resistant to radiation damage effects. In particular, they must not be prone to amorphization or swelling. Few ceramics meet these criteria and much work has been devoted in recent years to identifying radiation-tolerant ceramics and the characteristics that promote radiation tolerance. Here, we examine trends in radiation damage behaviour for families of compounds related by crystal structure. Specifically, we consider oxides with structures related to the fluorite crystal structure. We demonstrate that improved amorphization resistance characteristics are to be found in compounds that have a natural tendency to accommodate lattice disorder.
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