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Anisotropic thermal conductivity in uranium dioxide.

K Gofryk1, S Du2, C R Stanek3

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Uranium dioxide exhibits anisotropic thermal conductivity, challenging the long-held assumption of isotropy. This anisotropy, observed in single crystals, is explained by phonon-spin scattering impacting heat transfer in nuclear fuel.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

  • Uranium dioxide is the primary fuel in most nuclear reactors.
  • Accurate thermal conductivity is crucial for efficient heat-to-electricity conversion.
  • Uranium dioxide's cubic structure led to the assumption of isotropic thermal conductivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the thermal conductivity of uranium dioxide single crystals.
  • To determine if uranium dioxide exhibits anisotropic thermal conductivity.
  • To identify the underlying mechanisms responsible for any observed anisotropy.

Main Methods:

  • Performed thermal conductivity measurements on oriented uranium dioxide single crystals.
  • Conducted measurements across a temperature range from 4 K to over 300 K.

Main Results:

  • Observed and confirmed anisotropic thermal conductivity in uranium dioxide single crystals.
  • Anisotropy was present from low temperatures (4 K) up to room temperature (above 300 K).
  • Phonon-spin scattering was identified as a key mechanism influencing thermal conductivity.

Conclusions:

  • The assumption of isotropic thermal conductivity in uranium dioxide is incorrect.
  • Phonon-spin scattering plays a significant role in uranium dioxide's thermal properties.
  • This scattering mechanism explains the observed anisotropy by interacting with temperature gradients and breaking cubic symmetry.