Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
We have constructed an experimental apparatus for the synthesis (via pulsed laser deposition) and analysis of nanoparticles and thin films of plutonium and other actinides. In-situ analysis techniques include x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Also, the oxidation kinetics and the reaction kinetics of actinides with other gaseous species can be studied with this experimental apparatus. Preliminary results on depleted uranium are presented.