An overview of cold plasma interactions with tungsten and titanium surfaces for laboratory investigations relevant to fusion research studies

POSTER

Abstract

This study reports results on the interactions of H2, D2, He, and Ar plasmas with W and Ti surfaces. We employed the Hollow-Cathode and Microjet configurations for tests on plasma-W and Ti surface interactions, as well as for the collection of tungsten dust at various distances. Consequently, the exposed tungsten and titanium materials are examined for surface alterations (blister development, dust generation, erosion, or nano-structuring), as well as crystallinity, in relation to the duration of plasma exposure. A specific approach was employed to provide a mechanism for acquiring fusion-relevant tungsten surfaces in hydrogen and deuterium plasma discharges. Also, experiments present the potential to achieve a novel tungsten morphology, namely a dandelion-like structure, through the application of helium plasma, along with Ti-shaped cones, by using Ar plasma. Dedicated techniques (SEM, XRD, Contact Profilometry, Hardness tests, TDS, OES, and Langmuir Probes) investigated both materials and plasmas.

*This work has been carried out within the framework of the EURO fusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101052200—EURO fusion). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. Part of this research was supported (or financed) by the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization under the Romanian National Core Program LAPLAS VII–contract no. 30N/2023.

Publication: 1) Marascu, V.; Payet, M.; Garcia-Argote, S.; Feuillastre, S.; Pieters, G.; Mertens, V.; Miserque, F.; Hodille, E.A.; Bernard, E.; Grisolia, C. "Impact of microwave plasma treatment on tritium retention in submicronic tungsten dust." Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 2023, 48, 32485–32494, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.349
2) Stancu, C.; Marascu, V.; Bonciu, A.; Bercea, A.; Stoica, S.D.; Constantin, C. "Tungsten Material Behavior under H2, D2, and He Plasma Interaction Conditions in the Framework of Fusion-Relevant Studies." Materials 2023, 16, 6853. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216853.
3) Marascu, V.; Stancu, C.; Acsente, T.; Bonciu, A.; Constantin, C.; Dinescu, G. "Low-Temperature H2/D2 Plasma–W Material Interaction and W Dust Production for Fusion-Related Studies." Coatings 2023, 13, 503. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13030503.

Presenters

  • Valentina Marascu

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR) & Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, SPIRU HARET University

Authors

  • Valentina Marascu

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR) & Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, SPIRU HARET University

  • Cristian Stancu

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)

  • Marius I Mihailescu

    • Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, SPIRU HARET University

  • Stefania L Nita

    • Institute for Computers

  • Catalin I Constantin

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)

  • Cornel Staicu

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)

  • Anca Bonciu

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)

  • Daniel Stoica

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)

  • Adrian Bercea

    • Natl Inst for Laser, Plasma and Rad Physics (INFLPR)