Raman spectroscopy: A tool to investigate alpha decay damage in a PuO2 crystal lattice and determining sample age since calcination

Raman microspectroscopy can be used to measure local physical properties of materials, such as the lattice parameter. Alpha decay induced lattice damage of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) results in the growth of new bands and broadening of the T2g band. A relationship between the change in the lattice parameter and storage time has been established in the literature using X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Our measured time‐dependent Raman spectra of PuO2 particulates matches the XRD results. This new Raman spectroscopic technique can provide dating information on the time elapsed since the last calcination of PuO2 using a single >5 μm particulate in contrast to 50 mg of 10–50 μm particles required by XRD. The alpha decay induced lattice damage of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) results in the growth of new Raman bands and broadening of the Raman active T2g band. A relationship between the change in the lattice parameter and storage time has been established in the literature using X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Our measured time dependent Raman spectra of PuO2 particulates matches the XRD results, which can provide dating information on the time elapsed since the last calcination of PuO2.