Recent progress in the understanding of H transport and trapping in W

• Published in: Physica scripta 2017-12, Vol.T170 (1), p.14037
• Main Authors: Schmid, K, Bauer, J, Schwarz-Selinger, T, Markelj, S, Toussaint, U v, Manhard, A, Jacob, W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: diffusion-trapping; hydrogen retention; tungsten
• ISSN: 0031-8949; 1402-4896
• DOI: 10.1088/1402-4896/aa8de0

The retention of hydrogen isotopes (HIs) (H, D and T) in the first, plasma exposed wall is one of the key concerns for the operation of future long pulse fusion devices. It affects the particle-, momentum- and energy balance in the scrape off layer as well as the retention of HIs and their permeation into the coolant. The currently accepted picture that is used for interpreting current laboratory and tokamak experiments is that of diffusion hindered by trapping at lattice defects. This paper summarises recent results that show that this current picture of how HIs are transported and retained in W needs to be extended: the modification of the surface (e.g. blistering) can lead to the formation of fast loss channels for near surface HIs. Trapping at single occupancy traps with fixed de-trapping energy fails to explain isotope exchange experiments, instead a trapping model with multi occupancy traps and fill level dependent de-trapping energies is required. The presence of interstitial impurities like N or C may affect the transport of solute HI. The presence of HIs during damage creation by e.g. neutrons stabilises defects and reduces defect annealing at elevated temperatures.