Alpha self-irradiation effects in ternary oxides of actinides elements: The zircon-like phases AmVO4 and ANp(VO4)2 (A=Sr, Pb)

We report the experimental studies of irradiation damage from alpha decay in neptunium and americium vanadates versus cumulative dose. The isotopes used were the transuranium α-emitter ²³⁷Np and the α,γ-emitter ²⁴¹Am. Neptunium and americium vanadates self-irradiation was studied by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). The comparison of the powder diffraction patterns reveal that the irradiation has no apparent effect on the neptunium phases while the americium vanadate swells and becomes metamict as a function of cumulative dose.