Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019
X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) techniques are compatible with studies of the transplutonium elements and their compounds. Only limited amounts of these materials are available for study, and microchemical techniques exist for the preparation of samples suitable for X-ray analysis. The microscale syntheses, systems for annealing/ quenching to bring about phase transformations, and a modified powder diffraction camera are described. Examples of recent and current work are presented to illustrate some specific applications of XRPD to basic, transplutonium element research.
Research sponsored by the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration under contracts with the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) and Onion Carbide Corporation.