Fission Fragment Damage (2016)

Undergraduates: Matthew Chancey, Jack Silano Dr. Nalin Parikh

Faculty Advisor: Hugon Karwowski
Department: Physics & Astronomy

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Fission fragment damage was created in Uranium and Thorium targets by exposing them to gamma-ray beams, inducing photofission. The surfaces of the targets were imaged with a scanning electron microscope and potential fission fragment damage was identified. The damage was up to 3 orders of magnitude greater in size than what was expected compared to values found in literature. Methods for polishing the surface of the targets, to further reveal the fission damage, are being investigated.