Predictions of plutonium alloy phase stability using electronic properties (ms120)

Phase stability of plutonium alloys can be assessed by using modified empirical electronic models in conjunction with measurements of electronic and magnetic properties of plutonium alloys. Electronic and magnetic property measurements can potentially non-destructively assess alloyed plutonium phase stability and the defect structures within the microstructure. These measured physical material properties are dependent on the phases present since the electronic configuration of each phase represents a unique excited electron state. Investigators during the 60s and 70s, such as Brewer, have developed empirical models allowing for the prediction of the electronic configuration of specific phases. Brewer has estimated energies of each electronic configuration for lanthanides and actinides. Using solid solution thermodynamics in combination with these electronic models, the phase diagram for an elemental metal and dilute solid solutions can be estimated