| Abstract Scope |
The development of durable nuclear materials is critical for advancing next-generation fission and fusion energy systems. However, significant gaps remain in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of structural degradation under extreme environments, particularly intense self-irradiation. Neutron total scattering combined with pair distribution function analysis provides a powerful approach for characterizing defects and disorder in diverse nuclear materials, including pyrochlores, spinels, waste glasses, and actinide oxides. When coupled with ion irradiation, swift heavy ions with penetration depths of ~100 μm produce sufficient irradiated volumes for neutron characterization. This technique enables detailed investigation of cation and anion defect evolution, short-range order, and structural changes in both crystalline and amorphous materials. Recent studies reveal that irradiation-induced structural evolution is more complex than previously recognized, involving distinct processes across multiple length scales. This presentation highlights recent advances in the application of neutron scattering to nuclear materials, providing new insights into their behavior under extreme environments. |