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Nuclear Science User Facilities 10 samples for future research. Next the samples were prepared and examined at CAES using a focused ion beam FIB and transmission electron microscopy TEM. One thing were seeing is that oxygen defect clustering increased with ion beam irradiation on a larger scale that is seen inTEM micrographs says Gupta. This leads us to believe that there is a whole different class of defect clusters larger than individual point defects but smaller than what can be detected in theTEM. To explore that possibility a systematic series of experiments was conducted utilizing the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory SSRL. Samples were studied using X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy XAFS to see how the atomic structure changes in UO2 after irradiation.After creating minimally radioactive samples using ion accelerators Gupta utilized a technique called micro-focusing XAFS. It was the first time the process was used on irradiated specimens. Using the instruments at CAES she and her colleagues picked out samples about 10 x 15 microns in size and sent them to SSRL. By micro-focusing the X-ray beam another first for nuclear fuel samples they were able to raster a micron-sized beam across the samples to find the UO2 signals and perform the XAFS analysis. Gupta is quick to point out the advantages of these rapid turnaround experiments RTEs. I submitted the proposal right when I started my internship at INL she says. It was approved a couple of months later and we were able to start work instantly.You get results right away with state-of-the-art instru- ments and with the full support of the CAES staff. Its a great way to work on your Ph.D. Having finished work on the second proposal Gupta is poised to start the third phase of her project but now that shes graduated a job search has taken priority. Im trying to figure out how to make the transition. I can still continue my work here but I feel like if there were other Ph.D. students who were interested someone could write their entire thesis on these samples. You get results right away with state-of-the-art instrumentsand with the full support of the CAES staff.Its a great way to work on your Ph.D.