ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY AND THERMOELECTRIC-POWER IN IRRADIATED UO2+X

Two kinds of UO2 + x, the O/U ratios of which were 2.002 and 2.004, respectively, were irradiated to a dose range between 1.14 × 1014 and 1.90 × 1018 fissions/cm3, and electrical conductivity changes were measured. A steep decrease in conductivity was observed with increasing dose up to 1 × 1015 fissions/cm3, a gradual increase followed between 1 × 1015 and 1 × 1018 fissions/cm3 and above this dose the conductivity abruptly increased. Thermoelectric power measurements were also carried out for the specimens irradiated in the dose range up to 1.90 × 1018 fissions/cm3. It might be suggested that p-type conduction contributes to the electrical conductivity in irradiated specimens up to 1.90 × 1018 fissions/cm3. © 1978.