Characterization of lattice strain induced by neutron irradiation

Powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement have been used to study structural damage induced by neutron irradiation of orthoclase (Or₉₄) from Benson Mines, New York. X-ray diffraction profiles of samples exposed to total neutron doses in excess of 6.3×10¹⁸ n/ cm² exhibit small but measurable peak broadening in comparison with unirradiated orthoclase. Rietveld structure refinements and transmission electron microscope observations indicate that the X-ray peak broadening arises primarily from the effect of strain rather than particle size. The results reveal a positive correlation between the neutron dose and the anisotropic strain percentage calculated from the Lorentzian profile parameters. This strain-induced broadening probably stems from numerous point defects created by recoiling atoms during neutron collisions. These observations have important implications for the diffusive behavior of ³⁹Ar and ⁴⁰Ar.