Quantitative analysis of rhenium in irradiated tungsten

Abstract

Abstract Pure tungsten (W), irradiated to 3.5 dpa in a target of the Swiss neutron spallation source (SINQ), was characterized using high-sensitivity HPGe gamma ray spectroscopy to identify the present radionuclides. Synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to quantify the amount of Re produced in the irradiated W. An atomic concentration of 0.61% Re in the irradiated W was determined from the height of the L3-edge X-ray absorption edge jump. Analysis of the local atomic structure from the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra indicates that rhenium (Re) produced in the system is mainly coordinated by W atoms and partly coordinated by void defects. First-principles density functional theory calculations confirm a positive formation energy for a double Re defect in the system, supporting the conclusion that Re cluster formation is suppressed.