Oxygen Isotope Alterations during the Reduction of UO to UO for Nuclear Forensics Applications.

The fabrication of UO from UO is an essential reaction in the nuclear fuel cycle. The oxygen isotope fractionation associated with this reaction has significant implications in the general field of nuclear forensics. Hence, the oxygen isotope fractionation during the reduction of UO to UO was determined in the temperature range of 500-700 °C and for a duration of 2 to 6 h under a high-purity H atmosphere.