The Physics Of Actinide Compounds

The authors' aim is to present a review of experimental and theoretical research that has been done to establish and to explain the physical properties of actinide compounds. The book is aimed at physicists and chemists. It was thought useful to collect a large selection of diagrams of experimental data scattered in the literature. Experiment and theory are presented separately, with cross references. Not all work has been included: rather, typical examples are discussed. We apologize to all researchers whose work has not been quoted. Since we report on an active field of research, clearly the data and their interpretation are subject to change. We benefitted greatly from discussions with many of our colleagues, particularly with Drs. G. H. Lander and W. Suski. The help of Mrs. C. Bovey and Ch. Lewis in the preparation of the manuscript, and the artwork and photo graphic work of Ms. Y. Magnenat and E. Spielmann of the Institute of Experi mental Physics of the University of Lausanne, are gratefully acknowledged. Our particular thanks are due to Ms. J. Ubby for her skillful and patient editorial work.

In the last 15 years, actinide research has presented unique challenges both for experimentalists and theorists. Their uniqueness stems not only from their nuclear properties, which since the early 1940's has led to their important role in nuclear energy and nuclear technology, but also from their unusual chemical and physical properties which have added new excitement and discoveries to both these disciplines. It is the purpose of the Handbook to describe in detail the present understanding of the actinides by means of comprehensive, critical, broad and up-to-date reviews covering both the physics and chemistry of these exotic elements. They are intended to serve as an introduction to the subject for the non-specialist, as a convenient reference work for the specialist, and as a guide for future research. The rapid accelerated pace of research in the last decade continues and carries with it new vigor and excitement to a field in a state of transition. The present sixth volume completes the series. Like volumes 3 and 4, the emphasis is on chemistry, though physical aspects, such as self-radiation effects and electron paramagnetic resonance are also treated. The main body of the volume is devoted to systematic and comprehensive studies of a variety of important actinide compounds. These include relatively simple salts as well as various complexes and organic compounds. The data accumulated on such materials are broadly scattered in the literature, due to the interdisciplinary nature of much of the underlying research. Prominent experts on the various substances have now reviewed this literature and bring it to the reader in a readily accesible form.

Actinides in Perspective presents in proceedings of the Actinides-1981 Conference held in Pacific Grove, California, USA on September 10-15, 1981. The book contains papers on the different aspect of the physics and chemistry of the actinides. The text includes papers on the history of the discovery of the transplutonium elements; the photoemission techniques; and the neutron scattering studies of the actinides. The new elements in the transfermium region; the isotope identification in the transfermium region by ?-? correlation after in-flight-separation; and the fission properties of the actinides are also considered. The book further tackles papers on the status of superheavy element research; the single crystal preparation of actinides and actinide compounds; and the preparation of transplutonium metals and compounds, protactinium metal and compounds, and actinide metals. The text also includes papers on the complex oxide systems of the actinides; thermodynamic properties of the actinides; and the chemical and physicochemical properties of actinide organometallic compounds.

This unique monograph covers recent theoretical and experimental results on the complex character of f electrons in materials containing lanthanides (rare earths) or actinides, such as alpha-cerium and delta-plutonium. It answers the urgent need for a general presentation of the body of experimental and theoretical results presently available in this challenging domain. Some of the fast developing applications of lanthanide and actinide materials are mentioned. Materials containing atoms with an open f shell have electronic and crystalline properties that are controlled by the localized or delocalized character of the f electrons. This book gives a theoretical discussion of the various spectroscopic methods that shed light on the character of the f electrons and on the connection between their localization and the properties of these materials. Part 1 covers the characteristics of the f electrons in atoms and solids and includes a discussion of the properties of lanthanides and actinides in connection with the f electrons. Part 2 describes the various spectroscopic methods that are used to establish the electronic distributions and energies of the states. Examples involve the determination of f electron distributions by high energy spectroscopy methods with separate treatment of the valence and core electrons. Part 3 concentrates on the theoretical treatment of electronic transitions involving f electrons and simulations of the lanthanide spectra, including comparison with the available experimental data. Part 4 discusses the localized or delocalized character of the f electrons in actinides and their compounds, including comparison (analogies & differences) between the 4f and 5f electron materials. This monograph should be of great value for researchers, academics and engineers working in the fields of high energy spectroscopy, electronic and nuclear science and technology, as well as materials involving rare earths and radio-elements.

The Chemistry of the Actinides contains selected chapters from the Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry to meet the needs of certain specialists in this field. The book describes the 14 elements after actinium in the Periodic Table, known as the actinide elements or the 5f transition series. The book notes the occurrence, separation, chemical properties, chemical structures, and preparation of the metals. In a discussion of analytical chemistry, the radioactive properties of the actinides and the lanthanides are compared. The text then describes the nuclear or radiochemical records and chemical properties of the different members of the actinide series such as thorium, uranium, plutonium, and einsteinium. The book also explains the differences between the 5f shell and the 4f shell. One paper then discusses the groups of alloy compounds, including rare earths and intra-actinides. Another paper examines the general properties of actinide ions as to their electronic structure and oxidation states; the stability and preparation of the different oxidation states; and the applicability of solvent extraction in separating and purifying various substances. The text is suitable for researchers in organic chemistry, nuclear and atomic physicists, scientists, and academicians whose work involves radioactive materials.