A study of accelerated radiation damage effects in PuO2 and gadolinia-stabilized cubic zirconia, Zr0.79Gd0.14Pu0.07O1.93, doped with 238Pu

Abstract Polycrystalline samples of cubic zirconia, Zr 0.79 Gd 0.14 Pu 0.07 O 1.93 , doped with approximately 9.9 wt.% 238 Pu, and PuO 2 containing 11.0 wt. % 238 Pu (and main isotope is 239 Pu) have been repeatedly studied during many years by X-ray diffraction analysis. At a temperature of 25 °C the unit-cell parameter of PuO 2 increases depending on accumulated dose, and is accompanied by decrease of coherent scattering region (CSR). Self-irradiation of Zr 0.79 Gd 0.14 Pu 0.07 O 1.93 is accompanied with repeated change of unit-cell parameter and CSR.