Neutron diffraction study on U0.5Np0.5O2 at low temperatures

Abstract

The results of a neutron diffraction study on U0.5Np0.5 O2 solid solution at low temperature are reported. Below T = 12 K the solid solution is magnetically ordered with a magnetic structure different from that of the UO2 low temperature phase. The temperature dependence of the observed magnetic line width could suggest an eventual short range nature of the magnetic order. The neutron diffraction results are supported by Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements.