Advances in microstructural characterization

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials Vol. 386; pp. 8 - 14
• Main Authors: Zinkle, S.J., Ice, G.E., Miller, M.K., Pennycook, S.J., Wang, X.-L.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.04.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Nuclear fuels; Measurement in situ; Nuclear fusion reactor; High resolution; Electron probe; Neutron scattering; Tomography; X ray; Stress strain; Research and development; Nuclear reactor
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2008.12.302

Timely development of materials for the demanding fusion energy environment requires a broad range of advanced scientific tools, including advanced structural characterization methods. The current state-of-the-art and emerging capabilities in electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, neutron scattering and X-ray scattering are reviewed with respect to potential applications in fusion materials research and development. Recent dramatic advances in capabilities in all four of these characterization tools are transforming the spatial precision and quantitative information that can be extracted during structural characterization. Examples include spectroscopic identification of single atoms in bulk materials, three-dimensional mapping of millimeter-scale volumes of materials with nanometer resolution, and high-resolution in situ measurements of internal stress and strain during mechanical testing.