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INL reports findings on unusual quantum behavior of plutonium
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that plutonium hexaboride (PuB6) displays a type of unusual quantum property called a topological Kondo insulating state. Materials with this property are neither typical electricity conductors nor regular insulators. Rather, they have exterior surfaces that strongly conduct electricity and interiors that block electricity.
Chien Chung, Liq-Ji Yuan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 109 | Number 2 | February 1995 | Pages 226-235
Technical Paper | Radiation Application | doi.org/10.13182/NT95-A35055
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A reactor-based facility of neutron capture, prompt gamma-ray spectrometry for activation analysis has been installed at the 1-MW low-power Tsing-Hua Open Pool Reactor. The system consists of a neutron beam port with collimators, irradiation station, external beam tube, neutron beam catcher, and counting system. The counting system contains a 25% n-type high-purity germanium, main gamma-ray detector, a 9- × 10-in. Nal(Tl) detector shield, and Compton-suppression/pair spectroscopic electronics coupled to the Canberra S-88 multiparameter analyzer. Although the neutron beam at the sample irradiation station has an intensity of only 1 300 000 n/cm2.s with a cadmium ratio of 26 to 1, the background levels of the on-line measurement in the mixed neutron/gamma field are sufficiently low, resulting in satisfactory detection of many elemental compositions in samples. The lower limits of detection of 42 elements in a sample matrix of the present system, its applications, and planned upgrade are considered.