Alpha-decay induced amorphization of Cm-doped Gd2TiZrO7

The sample of pyrochlore-based ceramic doped with a 244Cm isotope with a target composition Gd1.935Cm0.065 TiZrO7 was prepared by cold pressing and sintering. The pyrochlore structure phase was predominant in the sample but minor perovskite and gadolinium zirconate (ideally Gd2Zr2O7−x) were also present. The Ti/Zr pyrochlore phase was rendered amorphous at a dose of 4.6 × 1018 α-decays/g (0.60 dpa). Volume expansion of the pyrochlore lattice was found to be 2.7 vol.% at a dose of 3.85 × 1018 α-decays/g.