Deuterium and beryllium depth profiles into the W-coated JET divertor tiles after ITER-like wall campaigns. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruset, C.; Grigore, E.; Mayer, M.; Baiasu, F.; Porosnicu, C.; Krat, S.; Widdowson, A.; Likonen, J.; Analytis, M.; Meihsner, R.
• Is Part Of: Nuclear materials and energy. Volume 30(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Tungsten coatings -- Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry -- Beryllium deposition -- Deuterium retention -- ITER-like Wall -- JET; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear fuels -- Periodicals; Nuclear reactors -- Materials -- Periodicals; Radioactive substances -- Periodicals; 621.4833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nme.2022.101151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1791

Abstract

Graphical abstract: GDOES depth profiles for a sample cored from Tile 3 after plasma exposure in JET (a) and the SEM image taken on the flank of the GDOES crater after analysis (b). Highlights: GDOES analysis of JET tiles before and after plasma exposure. W erosion and Be deposition on JET divertor tiles after experimental campaigns. Quantitative depth profile of D in the W coatings measured by GDOES. Mechanisms of D retention in W-coated CFC tiles after plasma exposure in JET. GDOES results are correlated with those obtained by SEM and TDS. Abstract: A number of 35 samples cored from JET divertor tiles exposed to JET plasmas in ILW1 (ITER Like Wall – first campaign), ILW2, ILW1 + ILW2 and ILW3 campaigns were analyzed using the Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry (GDOES) technique. The depth profiles of the elements contained in the surface layer of the tiles (W, Mo, Be, C, O and D) have been quantitatively determined up to a depth of 30–60 μm. The upper zone of Tile 3 (the lower vertical zone of the inner divertor) seems to be an erosion zone as it was demonstrated with a Mo marker layer in the ILW1 campaign. By increasing the input energy in the following campaigns this erosion did not increase, but it almost disappeared, probably due to significant amounts of Be that were transported from the main chamber and deposited on that area. The Be concentration increased in the upper zone of Tile3 in ILW2 and ILW3 by a factor of about 5 in comparison with the ILW1 campaign. It looks like the Be layer protects the tile surface from erosion. Depending on the amount of Be deposited on specific areas of the W-coated CFC (Carbon Fiber Composite) tiles, two mechanisms of D retention were identified. If the peak concentration of Be is less than ∼4.5 at.% D is mainly trapped into the defects of the W/Mo structure including W/Mo and Mo/C interfaces. When the peak concentration of Be exceeds ∼4.5 at.%, D is mainly retained in the Be deposits. The GDOES results were correlated with SEM analyses performed on the GDOES crater flanks and with the TDS (Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy), results obtained with the same samples after GDOES analyses. They are in good agreement with the corresponding results obtained by other authors using NRA (Nuclear Reaction Analysis), SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) and TDS.