SHORT-RANGE ATOMIC-STRUCTURE OF 1-WT-PERCENT GA DELTA-STABILIZED PLUTONIUM BY X-RAY-ABSORPTION FINE-STRUCTURE SPECTROSCOPY

Using extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy we have determined the radii of the first three atomic shells around Ga and the first Pu shell in a fcc Pu alloy stabilized by 1 wt. % Ga. We find the Ga to be substitutional in the fcc lattice, with the first and second shells contracted by 3.7 and 0.9%, respectively, relative to distances expected from the lattice constant derived from x-ray diffraction. The lattice is well ordered around Ga, but there is considerable static disorder in all observed coordination shells of Pu. We discuss these results in relation to the mechanism by which Ga effects phase stabilization. © 1995 The American Physical Society.