Structural Damages on Tungsten and Graphite Samples Upon Ion Irradiation

Abstract

Tungsten and graphite samples are very important for the plasma facing component material of next generation fusion reactor because of its superior thermo-physical and mechanical properties. It is essential to study the ion material interaction for its response to severe conditions of fusion reactor. In this work, an ingenious ion source namely plasma focus is used to study the effect of neon (and proton) irradiation on tungsten and graphite under various experimental conditions. To observe the structural changes of exposed and reference tungsten and graphite samples were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the development of compressive stress on the samples due to thermal load and formation of other phases or some expanded phases.

Keywords: fusion reactor, neon, X-ray diffractometer