Lithium-deuterium co-deposition

Li-D films co-deposited from deuterium plasma were investigated. It was found that the D concentration has the dependence on the deposition temperature with a maximum of ∼30 at. % at 350–500 K. Lithium mass deposited on the substrate decreases rapidly at deposition temperatures above 570 K. In the narrow range of 520–570 K lithium collection is still efficient and deuterium accumulation is already low, so the temperatures in the range are optimal for lithium collectors in fusion devices. Deuterium in the films is mainly in the form of lithium deuteride with small amounts of D is solution and in lithium hydroxide and lithium hydronitrides.