Optical methods for application in nuclear fuel characterization

This paper describes general possibilities of the application of image analysis in nuclear fuel characterization. In special, three examples of application are explained. These examples, standing for many other practical applications have in common that the particles have to be analysed by shape and size in order to obtain the desired information. It is one of the objectives of this work to demonstrate that today suitable methods are available to carry out such analysis. The examples used for demonstration deal with description of powders, pores and Pu-rich particles, in respect to parameters necessary for evaluating their qualification. (orig.)