Radiation Effects In Glasses Research Articles

Radiation Effects in Glasses Used for Immobilization of High-level Waste and Plutonium Disposition

This paper is a comprehensive review of the state-of-knowledge in the field of radiation effects in glasses that are to be used for the immobilization of high-level nuclear waste and plutonium disposition. The current status and issues in the area of radiation damage processes, defect generation, microstructure development, theoretical methods and experimental methods are reviewed. Questions of fundamental and technological interest that offer opportunities for research are identified.

Radiation Effects in Glass Waste Forms for High-Level Waste and Plutonium Disposal

AbstractA key challenge in the permanent disposal of high-level waste (HLW), plutonium residues/scraps, and excess weapons plutonium in glass waste forms is the development of predictive models of long-term performance that are based on a sound scientific understanding of relevant phenomena. Radiation effects from β-decay and α-decay can impact the performance of glasses for HLW and Pu disposition through the interactions of the α-particles, β-particles, recoil nuclei, and γ-rays with the atoms in the glass. Recently, a scientific panel convened under the auspices of the DOE Council on Materials Science to assess the current state of understanding, identify important scientific issues, and recommend directions for research in the area of radiation effects in glasses for HLW and Pu disposition. The overall finding of the panel was that there is a critical lack of systematic understanding on radiation effects in glasses at the atomic, microscopic, and macroscopic levels. The current state of understanding on radiation effects in glass waste forms and critical scientific issues are presented.

Radiation effects in glasses

Glass was produced by man about 4000 years ago. The scientific exploration of glass is very young and closely connected with Jena. Fraunhofer, Goethe, DobEreiner, Abbe, Zeiss and Schott are famous names on this field.Both crystals and glasses are solids. However, there are fundamental differences in their properties and behavior. Glass is a thermodynamically unstable state and has a defect structure compared to the crystal. Glass and its properties arc subject to a variety of changes under the influence of high energy radiation. In general, effects extend from the reduction of specific ions to the collapse of the entire network. Ultraviolet and X-ray radiation effects on UV-transmitting glasses will be discussed.

Radiation effects in glasses

Abstract Charged particle irradiation of glasses introduces network damage and alters the chemical composition. Compositional modifications are due to internal electric field formation and/or to sputtering processes, connected to different stopping power regimes (electronic or nuclear). In this paper we discuss the observed alkali migration, in alkali containing glasses, induced by electrons, protons and heavy-mass ion bombardment on the basis of phenomenological models. Particular emphasis is placed on the evidence of cooperative effects and enhanced-diffusion processes, analyzed in terms of the Onsager formalism in the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. Correlation between the alkali sputtering cross-section and the stopping power regimes of incident particles will be presented.

Applications of Radiation Effects in Glasses in Low‐and High‐Level Dosimetry

Two types of dosimetry using special glasses as sensing elements are reviewed. Both systems give an integrated total dose measurement. One system is based on a change in luminescence with dose and covers the range 10 to 10,000 rads. The second system is based on an optical absorption change with dose and covers the range 104 to 107 rads.