Radiation tolerance of complex oxides

The radiation performance of a variety of complex oxides is predicted on th e basis of a material's propensity to accommodate lattice point defects. Th e calculations indicate that a particular class of oxides possessing the fl uorite crystal structure should accept radiation-induced defects into their Lattices far more readily than a structurally similar class of oxides base d on the pyrochlore crystal structure. Preliminary radiation damage experim ents substantiate the prediction that fluorites are inherently more radiati on resistant than pyrochlores, These results may permit the chemical durabi lity and radiation tolerance of potential hosts for actinides and radioacti ve wastes to be tailored.