Infrared Characterization of Uranium Oxide Powders Using a Metal Light Pipe

A light-pipe technique has been used to measure infrared spectra of U0 2 , U 3 O 8 , and UO 3 , in the range 2000 to 450 cm −1 . Comparison with transmission spectra found in the literature indicates that the technique is very suitable for characterization of actinide powders and will therefore be a useful tool for future work, especially with hazardous materials such as actinides. The spectra obtained show all features predicted by group theory calculations, and the spectrum for the trioxide exhibits previously unseen features characteristic of uranyl bonds.