Structural studies of ZrVFe alloy bulk getters

The techniques of elastic recoil detection analysis and x-ray diffraction are used to understand the gettering action of non-evaporable getter (NEG) material St 707, an alloy of Zr, V and Fe. The depth distribution and intake of hydrogen in the samples activated at different temperature around 300 degC and tends to go down at higher temperatures due to desorption. The depth distribution of concentration up to a depth of 2.5 micron could be studied. The XRD studies suggest that hydrogen atoms enter the interstitial sites in a random manner and do not form any ordered hydride phase. The line shape analysis of XRD peaks are interpreted in terms of effects of annealing treatment at high temperature and incorporation of hydrogen atoms in the lattice. (author). 9 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab