Evidence of Xe-incorporation in the bubble superlattice in irradiated U-Mo fuel
Source abstract
Abstract
For years, researchers have reported competing ideas on the formation of fission gas bubble superlattices in metallic fuels, which was postulated to be comprised of elemental xenon (Xe) atoms. However, the chemical and physical arrangement of these elements within this gas bubble superlattice had not been verified. In this contribution, Xe was chemically profiled using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) techniques in irradiated uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) fuels. These complementary techniques provide conclusive evidence of Xe presence in the bubble superlattice up to fission densities of 4.5 × 10 21 fissions/cm 3 and give a quantitative assessment of Xe content within the bubble superlattice. Based on the results of simultaneous imaging and spectroscopy using STEM, the chemical composition of the Xe bubble superlattice was measured and found to be up to 8±1.3 atomic %. APT data complemented STEM findings on Xe distribution in irradiated U-Mo fuel sample. This study provides conclusive evidence that Xe is not only present within an atomically arranged bubble superlattice but provides fundamental insight into the physical state of Xe in low enriched U-Mo monolithic fuel.
Source: expertdata · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nuclear Materials and Properties · Advanced Materials Characterization Techniques · Fusion materials and technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
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