SKAPHIA

Derived from CAMECA state-of-the-art EPMA instruments, SKAPHIA can analyze almost all elements of the periodic table, revealing compositional information for both major and trace elements of radioactive sample. The information is obtained from sub-micron areas with excellent precision and accuracy. It is designed to accept samples emitting beta and gamma radiations with a maximum acceptable g radiation level of 111 GBq at an energy of 0.75 MeV.

Fully customized environment and analytical equipment

• Column, spectrometers and sample stage are installed in a hot cell (lead or concrete shielded room).
• Remote-manipulators and/or ball manipulators are used to insert and mount the radioactive samples.
• The instrument is fully remote-controlled (stage, column, diaphragms...), with electronics and computer deported outside the “hot” cell environment.
• All WDS analyzers and detectors are shielded to prevent the background caused by the gamma radiations.
• The stage is made of Denal material.
• The secondary electron detector has a special orientation to avoid gamma ray perturbation.
• A dedicated EPMA software program provides all necessary features for quantitative analysis, X-ray mapping, line profile acquisition and data processing.
  

A wide range of nuclear applications

With over a dozen instruments in operation worldwide, CAMECA is the world leader in shielded EPMA instruments. We serve a wide range of nuclear applications: study of the radiation damage processes in materials and complex micro-structures, analysis of materials for the nuclear fuel cycle, R&D of advanced alloys and innovative structural materials, nuclear reactor maintenance optimization, nuclear waste management...

Below is a selection of publications by users of CAMECA Shielded EPMA:

Fission product speciation in the VERDON-3 and VERDON-4 MOX fuels samples. C. Le Gall, S. Reboul, L. Fayette, T. Blay, I. Zacharie-Aubrun, I. Félines, K. Hanifi,
I. Roure, P. Bienvenu, F. Audubert, Y. Pontillon, J-L Hazemann. Journal of Nuclear Materials. Volume 530, March 2020, 151948. Read full article

Electron probe microanalysis of irradiated FUTURIX-FTA U-Pu-Zr alloy with added minor actinides. Karen E. Wright, Jason M.Harp and Luca Capriotti. Journal of Nuclear Materials. Volume 526, 1 December 2019, 151745. Read full article

Heat capacity of Bi2UO6. K. Popa, O. Beneš, P. E. Raison, J-C. Griveau, P. Pöml, E. Colineau, R.J.M. Konings, J. Somers. Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 465, p. 653-656, doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2015.06.055 (2015)

ECRIX-H Irradiation: Post-Irradiation Examinations and Simulations. S. Béjaoui, J. Lamontagne, E. Esbelin, J.M. Bonnerot, E. Brunon, P. Bourdot, Y. Pontillon. Presentation at FP7 FAIRFUELS Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden, February 2011

Chemical States of Fission Products and Actinides in Irradiated Oxide Fuels Analyzed by Thermodynamic Calculation and Post-Irradiation Examination. K. Kurosaki, K. Tanaka, M. Osaka, Y. Ohishi, H. Muta, M. Uno, S.Yamanaka. Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology, Vol. 2, p.5-8 (2011) 

Microstructural evolution and Am migration behavior in Am-containing MOX fuels at the initial stage of irradiation. K. Tanaka, S. Miwa, I. Sato, M. Osaka, T. Hirosawa, H. Obayashi, S. Koyama, H. Yoshimochi, K. Tanaka. Presentation at the 10th OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Information Exchange Meeting on Actinide and Fission Product Partitioning and Transmutation, Mito, Japan, October 2008

On the Oxidation State of UO2 Nuclear Fuel at a Burn-Up of Around 100 MWd/kgHM. C.T. Walker, V.V. Rondinella, D. Papaioannou, S. Van Winckel, W. Goll, R. Manzel. Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 345, p. 192–205 (2005)

Analysis of High Radioactive Materials in Irradiated DUPIC SIMFUEL Using EPMA. Jung, Yang Hong; Yoo, Bang Ok; Joo Yong Sun; Kim, Hee Mun; Jung In Ha; Kim, Myung Han. Journal of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society, Vol. 2(2), p. 125-133 (2004)

Multiple voltage electron probe microanalysis of fission gas bubbles in irradiated nuclear fuel. M. Verwerft. Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 282, p. 97-111, doi:10.1016/S0022-3115(00)00421-9 (2000)