Lattice location of Cs atoms in cubic ZrO2 single crystals

The lattice location of a specific fission product (Cs) implanted into cubi c zirconia single crystals was investigated as a function of the atomic con centration by using Rutherford backscattering and channeling (RBS/C) experi ments. At low concentration (<0.5 at.%), a significant Cs substitutional fr action (0.5-0.6) is measured in channeling spectra recorded with the analyz ing He beam aligned along the three main axes of the cubic crystal. Angular scans performed across the < 100 > axis indicate the formation of Cs-vacan cy complexes. The ZrO2 single crystals are strongly damaged when the Ca con centration exceeds a few at.% and the Cs atoms are randomly located in the crystalline lattice. This latter result could be due to the precipitation o f implanted Cs atoms. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.