An empirical scaling for deuterium retention in co-deposited beryllium layers

Abstract

Different mechanisms contribute to tritium retention in ITER, amongst which co-deposition with materials from the plasma-facing components is one of the main contributors. A systematic study of the influence of the deposition conditions (substrate temperature, deposition rate, energy of the incident particles) on the deuterium retention in co-deposited beryllium layers has been carried out in PISCES-B. The mechanism by which deuterium co-deposits with beryllium appears to be a combination of co-deposition and implantation, with a decreased retention for increased deposition rate and an increased retention for increased incident deuterium particle energy. A scaling equation is developed, providing a method to predict the retention in Be co-deposits formed in PISCES-B as a function of the layer formation conditions. Using this equation, previously published data on retention in Be co-deposits are re-examined and relatively good agreement is found with the prediction of the scaling equation.