Structural features in fluorite compounds relevant for nuclear applications

Abstract

ABSTRACTOxides with fluorite (or fluorite related) structures form a large class of compounds with a high radiation tolerance, somewhat related to their peculiar ability to accommodate a variety of defects and to form nonstoichiometric compounds with a large homogeneity range. Structural modifications are generally observed when the departure from the ideal composition is large. We discuss these structural features using an approach based on the crystal symmetry analysis based on the phase transition mechanisms in compounds relevant for nuclear applications.