Influence of H+ ion irradiation on the surface and microstructural changes of a nuclear graphite

• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2012.02.065
• Publication Date: 2012-03-06T01:26:46Z
• Authors: Seung Jae Yang; Jae-Myung Choe; Young-Gil Jin; Sun-Taek Lim; Kunsil Lee; Yern Seung Kim; Sooseok Choi; Sang-Joon Park; Y.S. Hwang; Gon-Ho Kim; Chong Rae Park
• Keywords: Nuclear Graphite; Thermonuclear Fusion

Abstract Despite the significant importance of nuclear graphite as a promising plasma-facing component material in all thermonuclear fusion devices, its physico-chemical microstructural behavior under severe irradiation conditions was poorly understood. To provide a wide range of information and understanding about the structure change of nuclear graphite under energetic hydrogen ion irradiation, we therefore carried out a systematic study with employing various characterization tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, we suggested possible surface chemical erosion mechanism from the observed physico-chemical microstructural changes.