Open Physics Journal

2016, 3 : 23-54
Published online 2016 July 29. DOI: 10.2174/1874843001603010023
Publisher ID: PHY-3-23

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Experimental Simulation of the Behaviour of Diagnostic First Mirrors Fabricated of Different Metals for ITER Conditions

V.S. Voitsenya1, * , A.F. Bardamid2 and A.J.H. Donné3,4,5
1 Institute of Plasma Physics, National Science Center “Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology”, 61108 Kharkov, Ukraine
2 Taras Shevchenko National University, 01033 Kiev, Ukraine
3 EUROfusion, D-85748 Garching, Germany
4 Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research, P.O. Box 6336, 5600 HH, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
5 Eindhoven University of Technology, Applied Physics Department, The Netherlands

* Address correspondence to this author at the Institute of Plasma Physics, National Science Center “Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology”, 61108 Kharkov, Ukraine; E-mail: .voitseny@ipp.kharkov.ua

ABSTRACT

In the experimental fusion reactor ITER, the plasma-facing component of each optical and/or laser diagnostic needs to be based on reflective optics with at least one mirror (first mirror) facing the thermonuclear plasma. The different kinds of radiation emanating from the burning plasma (neutrons, neutral atoms, electromagnetic radiation) create hostile operating conditions for the first mirrors. Therefore, a special program has been set up under the ITER framework aimed at solving the first mirror problem. This paper will review the main results in this field that have been obtained in the Institute of Plasma Physics, National Science Center “Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology” (in many cases in cooperation with groups of other countries, as indicated in corresponding parts of the manuscript) during long-term investigations directed to find a solution of this problem, i.e., to find a material and accompanying precautions in order to satisfy the requirements for first mirrors. The main efforts were devoted to finding solutions to overcome the impact of the most severe deteriorating factors resulting in degradation of the optical properties of mirrors: sputtering by charge exchange atoms and deposition of contaminants. The obtained results are focused on: the effects of long term sputtering on mirror specimens fabricated from different metals with different structures (polycrystals, single crystals, metal film on metal substrates, amorphous), the effects of contaminating film and the possible protection to avoid of its appearance, the role of chemical processes for some metal mirrors, and the choice of material of laser mirrors.

Keywords:

Chemical processes in hydrogen plasma, deposition, ITER, mirrors, neutron irradiation, optical diagnostics of plasma, sputtering, structure of mirror material.