Basic actinide chemistry and physics research in the framework of a program ACTILAB

Minato, Kazuo ; Konashi, Kenji*; Fujii, Toshiyuki*; Uehara, Akihiro*; Nagasaki, Shinya*; Otori, Norikazu*; Akabori, Mitsuo; Takano, Masahide ; Hayashi, Hirokazu ; Tokunaga, Yo  ; Kambe, Shinsaku  

Basic research in actinide chemistry and physics is indispensable to maintain sustainable development of innovative nuclear technology. Actinides, especially minor actinides (MA) of americium and curium, need to be handled in special facilities with containment and radiation shields. A three-year-program Basic actinide chemistry and physics research in close cooperation with hot laboratories, ACTILAB, was started to form the basis of sustainable development of innovative nuclear technology. For the basic understanding of the properties of MA-bearing fuels, XAFS (X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) measurements on AmO and O-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) measurements on (PuAm)O were carried out. Curium nitride was synthesized by carbothermic reduction method and the lattice parameters and thermal expansion of CmN were measured by high temperature X-ray diffractometry after purification of aged curium oxide.