Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Microstructural characterization of plutonium utilizing Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEN) has previously been difficult because of the extreme toxicity and high oxidation rate of plutonium metal. Recent developments in plutonium sample preparation have shown that foils of both alpha and delta phases of plutonium may be prepared for TEN without the use of inert atmospheric systems or complex preparation devices. Samples may be produced, using standard electropolishing techniques, that yield important microstructural data on plutonium and plutonium alloys.