Effect of neutron irradiation on the elemental composition and structure of BiScO$_3$–PbTiO$_3$ ceramics

Ceramics BiScO$_3$–PbTiO$_3$ were synthesized and its radiation resistance was studied. The experiments on irradiation of ceramic samples with fast neutrons and gamma rays in a pool-type reactor were carried out to analyze possible radiation damage. The irradiation conditions in terms of the accumulated fluence of neutrons and gamma quanta ($\sim$ 5 $\cdot$ 10$^{19}$ n/cm$^2$($\gamma$/cm$^2$) at $E>$ 0.1 MeV), as well as the energy spectrum, are close to those expected at the location of piezoelectric motors using this ceramics which are being developed within the ITER project. The elemental composition and crystal structure of the ceramics were determined before and after irradiation. The experimental results demonstrate the stability of the composition to high doses of radiation.