Irradiation test of stainless steel by high power CO2 laser

Electron beam, plasma arc and ion beam are often employed to simulate the high heat flux applied to the first wall or the divertor plate in a fusion reactor. In this study, an irradiation test with high heat flux was carried out under atmospheric condition by using high power CO2 laser. The test material is SUS316 and the temperature change and the melting amount were measured. A thermal analysis code to take melting and evaporation behavior into account was developed. The laser absorption coefficient can be raised up to 95% before melting if special paint is coated on specimen surface. After melting, this coefficient is estimated to be 60% by thermal analysis. However, it was revealed that a precise modification of this model was indispensable. Although the effect of irradiation environment or heat source on material damage was also examined, there is no significant difference one another. In conclusion, it is found that CO2 laser is quite suitable for use as a heat source to simulate a high heat flux. (author)