Interaction Between Plasma and Tungsten Carbide Thin Films Coated on Stainless Steel as Tokamak Reactor First Wall
Azadeh Jafari1*, Vahid Fayaz1, Sakineh Meshkani2, and S. Ali Asghar Terohid1
1Department of Physics, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
2Plasma Physics Research Center, Science and Research Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
The physical properties of tungsten carbide (WC) thin film as a first wall material when it is exposed to the plasma of tokamak was studied in this research. In this regard, WC thin film was formed on grade 316L stainless steel – via the hot filament chemical vapor deposition method – to the sample installed on Iran tokamak 1 chamber and exposed to 300 shots of hydrogen plasma for a total duration of 11 s. For investigation of hydrogen plasma effects on morphology, crystalline structure properties, and roughness of the sample, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy analysis was performed. The experimental setup described and micrographs of the surfaces are shown. XRD analysis of WC thin film coated on stainless steel before and after plasma shots shows the changes in crystal structure. Based on the scanning electron microscopy images, it can be concluded that plasma exposure has created some cracks, holes, and lines. Also, the roughness of the sample after plasma shots decreased and it was observed that the thickness of WC thin film coated on stainless steel is reduced after plasma shots were introduced. Moreover, the weight loss of the uncoated sample was higher in comparison to the coated one. Finally, WC coating on the first wall of fusion device looks promising, but several open questions still remain to be solved.
INTRODUCTION
Key issues to address in modern nuclear research include the choice of first wall materials and understanding the effects of plasma materials on a fusion device and how they interact. Particularly, plasma energy confinement time is strongly dependent on the first wall material selection and on how the wall interacts with edge plasmas (Hino & Yamashina 1996; Kirnev et al. 2001; Buzinskij et al. 1999). Recently, the use of coatings on material surfaces to improve their quality and reduce their damage according to their application has been considered (Xu et al. 2006; Niknahad & Mannari 2016; Taha et al. 2010; Habibi et al. 2015). . . . read more
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