Thermodynamic simulation of thermophysical and elastic properties of plutonium

Abstract

A self-consistent thermodynamic model taking into account phonon anharmonicity effects is used for calculating the temperature dependences of the lattice components of thermophysical and elastic properties of the alpha-phase of plutonium. The theoretical curves are in good agreement with experimental data and make it possible to compare the mechanisms of formation of thermophysical and elastic properties of the alpha- and delta-phases of plutonium. The entropy of both phases is estimated, the role of the lattice magnetic anharmonicity is analyzed, and the key question concerning the reasons for stabilization of the delta-phase of plutonium relative to its α-phase is considered. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.