Project Team
Students
Joon Kim
Nuclear engineering
Altoona, University Park
Faculty Mentors
Martin Nieto-Perez
University Park
Nuclear engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/2024-07-24/MCREUposter.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
The quest for clean and sustainable energy has propelled nuclear fusion research forward. However, a critical challenge remains on understanding and mitigating the complex interactions between the superheated plasma (ionized gas) and the surrounding materials within a Tokamak reactor. These interactions, plasma-material interaction (PMI), can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of the reactor, particularly at the divertor, a specialized region that manages heat and particle exhaust. This research delves into the application of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), with PreVac RMC 50 HP X-Ray Source and SPECS Phiobos EP 150 Analyzer, and Ion gun, (PreVac IS40E1) with faraday cup at the Ion-Gas-Neutral Interactions with Surfaces-2 (IGNIS-2) facility. XPS, a quantitative surface analysis technique, allows us to monitor chemical changes to a surface. This coupled with controlled plasma exposure enables the simulation and monitoring of surface chemistry changes in a nuclear fusion environment. An ion gun source generates plasma, and the faraday cup is a tool to optimize the flux. By analyzing material surfaces exposed to ion irradiation, this research contributes to gaining a deeper understanding fusion-relevant material surfaces’ response to ion irradiation to inform fusion tokamak design.
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