X-ray diffraction studies of irradiated lithium hydride: oriented lithium precipitates

Abstract

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of gamma-irradiated LiH show the clear presence of metallic lithium precipitates. The Iithium is in the normal bcc form and is crystallographically oriented with respect to the matrix: {110} Li∥{111} LiH and 〈100〉 Li∥〈110〉 LiH. The absence of diffraction broadening is evidence that th particles are relatively large ( > 50 nm). X-ray diffraction measurements of the Li content of a heavily irradiated LiH crystal indicate that a substantial fraction of the “free” Li is present in the oriented precipitates.