Synthesis and investigation of Pu-doped single crystal zircon, (Zr, Pu)SiO4

摘要

Single crystals of zircon doped with Pu-239, up to 2 mm in size, were grown for the first time ever, using a Li-Mo flux. The crystals were transparent and free of inclusions of separated Pu phases, The zircon crystals were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy, the electron microprobe, and cathodoluminescence imaging and spectroscopy. The incorporation of Pu-239 ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 wt. % el. The intensity of the CL emission in the Pu-doped crystals is correlated with the Pu content. [References: 15]