Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy application to reaction-diffusion studies in nuclear materials

Abstract

We explore the possible use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze active materials in hot cells or even inside nuclear reactors where high radiation levels prevent the use of conventional techniques. LIBS measurements of the reaction-diffusion process in alloys used in the nuclear industry were compared with standard techniques such us micrography, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy. The LIBS capability to qualitatively detect the above process was established. Also, the average speed of the reaction-diffusion process was measured through a temperature-dependent effective parameter K.