Plasma focus assisted damage studies on tungsten

Abstract Tungsten is being considered as a front runner choice for the plasma facing component material of next generation fusion reactor because of its superior thermophysical and mechanical properties. Therefore, it is essential to study the ion material interaction of this material for its response to severe conditions of fusion reactor. In this work, we have used an ingenious ion source a namely plasma focus to study the effect of proton irradiation on tungsten under various experimental conditions. Exposed and reference tungsten samples were analyzed using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and Vickers hardness tester. Surface analyses confirm the formation of microcracks, bubbles, blisters, holes, etc. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the development of compressive stress on the sample due to thermal load and formation of other phases or some expanded phases. A slight reduction in hardness values is observed in case of the exposed sample than the reference sample.