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Investigations of Actinide Metals and Compounds under Pressure Provide Important Insights into Bonding and Chemistry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

R. G. Haire ,
S. Heathman ,
T. Le Bihan ,
A. Lindbaum  and
M. Iridi
R. G. Haire
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, CSD, P. O. Box 2008, MS-6375, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
S. Heathman
Affiliation:
European Commission, JRC, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 234, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
T. Le Bihan
Affiliation:
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, B.P.220, F-38043, Grenoble Cedex, France
A. Lindbaum
Affiliation:
Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Solid State Physics, Wieder Haupstrasse 8–10/138, Wien, Autstra
M. Iridi
Affiliation:
European Commission, JRC, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 234, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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Abstract

One effect of pressure on elements and compounds is to decease their interatomic distances, which can bring about dramatic perturbations in their electronic nature and bonding, which can be reflected in changes in physical and/or chemical properties. One important issue in the actinide series of elements is the effect of pressure on the 5f-electrons. We have probed changes in electronic behavior with pressure by monitoring structure by X-ray diffraction, and have studied several actinide metals and compounds from thorium through einsteinium. These studies have employed angle dispersive diffraction using synchrotron radiation, and energy dispersive techniques via conventional X-ray sources. The 5f-electrons of actinide metals and their alloys are often affected significantly by pressure, while with compounds, the structural changes are often not linked to the involvement of 5 f-electron. We shall present some of our more recent findings from studies of selected actinide metals, alloys and compounds under pressure. A discussion of the results in terms of the changes in electronic configurations and bonding with regard to the element's position in the series is also addressed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 802: Symposium DD – Actinides - Basic Science, Applications, and Technology , 2003 , DD1.5
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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