Structural investigation of curium bismuthide)

The primary objective of the collaborative studies with EITU was to study curium bismuthide using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction to monitor its structure as a function of pressure. This objective was accomplished and the material was investigated up to 0.48 megabars of pressure. These studies were a continuation of established and productive collaborations between ORNL and EITU. The study of this curium compound is significant in that it is the first 5f-element bismuthide to be studied under pressure. Bismuth has the highest Z and the largest radius of the pnictogen group of elements (important for Hill Plot assessments) and has the greatest potential to form f-p type bonding with actinides under pressure. From a preliminary assessment of our experimental data it has been determined that two structural transitions occurred in the curium bismuthide sample as a result of the applied pressure.