Research: Radiation Damage in Phosphates and Silicates
Supervisor: Ian Farnan (University of Cambridge)
My PhD research focuses on comparing radiation damage in phosphates and silicates, specifically isostructural xenotime and zircon (tetragonal, I41/amd). To gain insight into the superior radiation resistance of phosphates, we have utilized several methods. Experiments performed at the Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe using 238Pu (1/2 life 88 years) show heavy recoil and α-particle damage, and doping with 239Pu provides insight into solid solubility of Pu into xenotime.
Another method looks to separate damage due to the α-particle from damage due to the heavy nucleus recoil. In collaboration with Lou Vance at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, samples of xenotime and zircon have been doped wtih 10B and irradiated in a slow neutron flux to achieve the reaction 10B + n --> 7Li + α. To accurately constrain dose, we performed 7Li magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spin-counting. To look at damaged regions, we have used 31P (xenotime), 29Si NMR (zircon), and X-ray diffraction.
Furthermore, swift heavy ion irradiation of xenotime and zircon at GANIL, France, will provide information about amorphization with varying dose.
Katie Gunderson
Research Student
+44 (0) 1223 764919
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Downing Site / M06
Research area(s):
Mineral Sciences
Last updated on 02-Aug-10 16:15