Comparative Analysis of Changes in Optical- and Constructive-Materials Irradiated by Powerful Plasma-Ion Streams Generated within RPI- and PF-Devices

摘要

The paper presents characteristics of synthetic sapphire, natural quartz and topaz after their irradiation in the RPI-IBIS facility by microsecond-pulses of hydrogen plasma with ions of energies up to tens keV. The optical reflection (measured in the 200–900 nm range) was compared with data obtained from optical and atomic force microscopy, and from the structural analysis by means of X-rays. Changes in sapphire characteristics resulted from modifications of its surface layer, while quartz and topaz appeared to be more resistive to the irradiation. The results are of importance for the selection of materials for fusion facilities and cosmic vehicles. The paper reports also on influence of pulsed deuterium plasma-ion streams on a tube made of the chromium-manganese steel. Experiments were carried out within the PF-1000 facility at power flux density of ~109 W/cm2 and microsecond pulses. It was found that in the re-solidified surface layers there occurred processes of the evaporation, sputtering, melting and phase transformation, which resulted in the hardening of the irradiated surfaces. The application of PF-type discharges for the modification of surfaces difficult-to-be-reached (such as internal surfaces of tubes) was demonstrated.