Topic
Plutonium-238
About: Plutonium-238 is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 194 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1257 citations. The topic is also known as: Pu-238 & 238Pu.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) have been used by the United States to provide electrical power for spacecraft since 1961 as discussed by the authors, and all RTGs that have been launched by the U.S. have used heat sources fueled with the plutonium-238 isotope.
101 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed whether nuclear plutonium after denaturing by increasing its isotopic content of 238Pu to 6 to 8% can be regarded as proliferation resistant.
Abstract: This paper analyzes whether reactor plutonium after denaturing by increasing its isotopic content of 238Pu to 6 to 8% can be regarded as proliferation resistant. In this case the utilization of suc...
71 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a coincidence apparatus was developed that permits the measurement of energies and intensities of rare alpha groups leading to excited states of the product nucleus, and the technique was used to characterize vibrational states.
Abstract: A coincidence apparatus was developed that permits the measurement of energies and intensities of rare alpha groups leading to excited states of the product nucleus. It proved possible to measure transitions with intensities as low as 10/sup -8/, and the technique was used to characterize vibrational states. The energies, relative abundances, and multipole orders of the gamma ray and conversion electron transitions that de-excite the levels populated by these weak alpha branchings can be determined, and these lead to assignments of spin and parity for the levels. Excited states with spin and parity 0/sup +/ were confirmed in the energy level spectrum of Th/sup 230/, U/sup 234/, Pu/sup 238/, and Pu/sup 240/. A corresponding state was observed at 780 kev in the energy level spectrum of U/sup 235/ and was given the assignment 1/2/sup +/. The reduced alpha transition probabilities to states of this type were found generally to be about an order of magnitude smaller than the theoretical value for unhindered alpha decay. The characterization of these levels simply as beta vibrations appears to be inadequate in that there are distinct differences in the modes of de-excitation for the different nuclides. (auth)
59 citations
TL;DR: This study focuses on the stabilization of a cubic americium oxide phase using uranium as the dopant, which leads to a number of improvements from a material properties and safety point of view, such as good behavior under sintering conditions or under alpha self-irradiation.
Abstract: Americium 241 is a potential alternative to plutonium 238 as an energy source for missions into deep space or to the dark side of planetary bodies. In order to use the 241Am isotope for radioisotope thermoelectric generator or radioisotope heating unit (RHU) production, americium materials need to be developed. This study focuses on the stabilization of a cubic americium oxide phase using uranium as the dopant. After optimization of the material preparation, (Am0.80U0.12Np0.06Pu0.02)O1.8 has been successfully synthesized to prepare a 2.96 g pellet containing 2.13 g of 241Am for fabrication of a small scale RHU prototype. Compared to the use of pure americium oxide, the use of uranium-doped americium oxide leads to a number of improvements from a material properties and safety point of view, such as good behavior under sintering conditions or under alpha self-irradiation. The mixed oxide is a good host for neptunium (i.e., the 241Am daughter element), and it has improved safety against radioactive material dispersion in the case of accidental conditions.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the distribution of plutonium and cesium isotopes in sediment samples from Lake Michigan which had been separated into various particle size classes by an elutriation technique was determined.
Abstract: The distribution of /sup 238/Pu, /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu, and /sup 137/Cs was determined in sediment samples from Lake Michigan which had been separated into various particle size classes by an elutriation technique. Within the range of size classes studied the distribution of these isotopes are not a function of particle size, but rather have a constant concentration. In addition, calculations of ratios of /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu and /sup 137/Cs concentrations on particles to their concentration in the overlying water showed: the ratios are similar for both plutonium and cesium (approx. 10/sup 5/); and the ratios do not vary with particle size for either element.
39 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |