Irradiation damage of nickel by keV deuterium ions

For the purpose of elucidating the basic process of the irradiation damage of the materials opposing hydrogen plasma, which becomes the problem in nuclear fusion reactors and large plasma confining installations, the process of forming defects in the irradiation of deuterium ions on nickel was studied. As the results, it became clear that the deuterium acted strongly as the sites of capturing interstitial atoms, the generation of dislocation loops was remarkably promoted not only at room temperature but also at elevated temperature of 300 deg C, and the region of their generation was not limited to the region of knocking-out damage, but reached to the deep part, and that in the case of the energy of deuterium ions being low, plate-shaped deuterium clusters were formed. The nuclear fusion reaction most probably used for nuclear fusion reactors is by causing the nuclear reaction of deuterium and tritium, the helium and neutrons of high energy are generated, and this energy is to be taken out. The damage process of vacuum vessels and limiters by the bombardment with plasma particles is briefly explained. The experimental method and the results are reported. (K.I.)