Search for radiation-induced electrical degradation in alumina during spallation-neutron irradiation

Eugene H. Farnum, Frank W. Clinard, Walter F. Sommer, James C. Kennedy, Tatsuo Shikama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

dc and ac electrical conductivity of alumina and sapphire were measured during irradiation with spallation neutrons at the Los Alamos Spallation Radiation Effects Facility to a fluence of about 0.02 dpa. Both ac and dc voltages were applied during irradiation at 395, 615 and 655° C in an attempt to measure radiation-induced electrical degradation (RIED). RIED-like effects were observed in the evacuated AC capsules, but no RIED was observed with the dc capsules in about 1 atm of argon gas. The dc measurements showed an initial high increase in conductivity followed by a continual decrease with increasing fluence. We believe that postirradiation conductivity measurements must be made to confirm the observed current increases in the ac capsules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1128-1132
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Nuclear Materials
Volume212-215
Issue numberPART B
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1994 Sept

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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