Characterization and stability of thin oxide films on plutonium surfaces

► The O/Pu thin-film system has been studied and shown to be very complex. ► Pu2O3 exists as a sub-stoichiometric species and is better described as Pu2O3-y. ► Range of observed stoichiometries: O/Pu = 1.15 - 1.5 (Pu2O3-y, y = 0 - 0.7). ► Level of sub-stoichiometry depends greatly on carbide contamination.