Deuterium retention in graphite exposed to high flux plasma at high temperatures

Abstract Deuterium trapping in graphite under high flux plasma exposure at high temperatures was studied. A target of MPG-8 fine grain graphite was exposed to plasma beam in LENTA device at zero potential. The average ion flux was of about 10 21 D/m 2 s with a maximum in the center. The temperature was 1473 K in the center and 873 K outside the beam spot. After irradiation, the target was sectioned along and across the surface and studied by SEM, NRA, and TDS. Deuterium profiles measured by NRA showed a peak close to the surface and long tails in the bulk. TDS of samples taken for the front and back sides of the target were very similar. It is suggested, that D retention at the plasma irradiation is mainly controlled by trapping from the gas phase, locally created in the graphite pores by plasma ions injection and subsequent flow of gas to the back side through internal porosity.