Annealing of self-radiation damage in²³⁸puO₂

Abstract

Abstract The annealing of self-radiation damage in 238PuO2 has been studied in samples which have reached a saturation damage level. Isothermal and isochronal anneals have been used to define the recovery behavior to 1200°C. The annealing is complex and consists of a very rapid fist stage due to I-V annihilation followed by more complicated recovery processes. The activation energy for Stage I recovery is 4 kcal. The isochronal annealing curves are strongly dependent on the residual helium concentration.