Multiple voltage electron probe microanalysis of fission gas bubbles in irradiated nuclear fuel

2000 ◽  
Vol 282 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 97-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Verwerft
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Gas Bubbles ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Fission Gas ◽  
Irradiated Nuclear Fuel

Low-Voltage Electron-Probe Microanalysis of Fe–Si Compounds Using Soft X-Rays

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1698-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Gopon ◽  
John Fournelle ◽  
Peter E. Sobol ◽  
Xavier Llovet
Keyword(s):  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Mass Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Areas Of Interest

AbstractConventional electron-probe microanalysis has an X-ray analytical spatial resolution on the order of 1–4 μm width/depth. Many of the naturally occurring Fe–Si compounds analyzed in this study are smaller than 1 μm in size, requiring the use of lower accelerating potentials and nonstandard X-ray lines for analysis. Problems with the use of low-energy X-ray lines (soft X-rays) of iron for quantitative analyses are discussed and a review is given of the alternative X-ray lines that may be used for iron at or below 5 keV (i.e., accelerating voltage that allows analysis of areas of interest <1 μm). Problems include increased sensitivity to surface effects for soft X-rays, peak shifts (induced by chemical bonding, differential self-absorption, and/or buildup of carbon contamination), uncertainties in the mass attenuation coefficient for X-ray lines near absorption edges, and issues with spectral resolution and count rates from the available Bragg diffractors. In addition to the results from the traditionally used Fe Lα line, alternative approaches, utilizing Fe Lβ, and Fe Ll-η lines, are discussed.

Electron Probe Microanalysis Through Coated Oxidized Surfaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (05) ◽  
pp. 1112-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike B. Matthews ◽  
Ben Buse ◽  
Stuart L. Kearns
Keyword(s):  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Layer Structure ◽  
Oxide Thickness ◽  
Linear Functions ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Before And After ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Good Agreement

AbstractLow voltage electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) of metals can be complicated by the presence of a surface oxide. If a conductive coating is applied, analysis becomes one of a three-layer structure. A method is presented which allows for the coating and oxide thicknesses and the substrate intensities to be determined. By restricting the range of coating and oxide thicknesses, tc and to respectively, x-ray intensities can be parameterized using a combination of linear functions of tc and to. tc can be determined from the coating element k-ratio independently of the oxide thickness. to can then be derived from the O k-ratio and tc. From tc and to the intensity components of the k-ratios from the oxide layer and substrate can each be derived. Modeled results are presented for an Ag on Bi2O3 on Bi system, with tc and to each ranging from 5 to 20 nm, for voltages of 5–20 kV. The method is tested against experimental measurements of Ag- or C-coated samples of polished Bi samples which have been allowed to naturally oxidize. Oxide thicknesses determined both before and after coating with Ag or C are consistent. Predicted Bi Mα k-ratios also show good agreement with EPMA-measured values.

scholarly journals Microbeam Analysis of Irradiated Materials: Practical Aspects

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Lamontagne ◽  
Thierry Blay ◽  
Ingrid Roure
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Microbeam Analysis ◽  
Radioactive Background ◽  
Irradiated Fuel

Among the microanalytical techniques, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) is one of the most powerful. Its performances can be used to provide an accurate characterization. In the present article the differences between the EPMA of highly irradiated materials and standard EPMA are highlighted. It focuses on the shielded EPMA specificities. Then, the article presents the difficulties encountered during the sample preparation and the analysis (mainly due to the radioactive background). In spite of these difficulties, some valuable results can be provided by a shielded EPMA on the in-pile behavior of nuclear irradiated fuel. Some results of specific examples analyzed by EPMA in nuclear fuel research are presented.

scholarly journals Low-Voltage Electron-Probe Microanalysis of Uranium

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Mike B. Matthews ◽  
Stuart L. Kearns ◽  
Ben Buse
Keyword(s):  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Voltage Electron

Abstract

Electron Probe Microanalysis of Frozen Hydrated Kidneys, Isolated Cells, and Cultured Cells

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 402-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Lechene
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Nitrogen ◽  
Electron Probe Microanalysis ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Liquid Nitrogen Temperature ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Renal Tubular Cells ◽  
Diamond Saw ◽  
Saw Blade

Electron probe microanalysis of frozen hydrated kidneysThe goal of the method is to measure on the same preparation the chemical elemental content of the renal luminal tubular fluid and of the surrounding renal tubular cells. The following method has been developed. Rat kidneys are quenched in solid nitrogen. They are trimmed under liquid nitrogen and mounted in a copper holder using a conductive medium. Under liquid nitrogen, a flat surface is exposed by sawing with a diamond saw blade at constant speed and constant pressure using a custom-built cryosaw. Transfer into the electron probe column (Cameca, MBX) is made using a simple transfer device maintaining the sample under liquid nitrogen in an interlock chamber mounted on the electron probe column. After the liquid nitrogen is evaporated by creating a vacuum, the sample is pushed into the special stage of the instrument. The sample is maintained at close to liquid nitrogen temperature by circulation of liquid nitrogen in the special stage.

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