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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Jihong Chen, Liping Guo, Fengfeng Luo, Tiecheng Li, Yaoyao Ren, Jinping Suo
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 66 | Number 2 | October 2014 | Pages 301-307
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST13-714
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Single-beam (He+ or H+) and sequential-beam (He+/H+ or H+/He+) irradiation of reduced-activation martensitic steels at 450°C was carried out to investigate helium/hydrogen synergistic effects on the microstructure of the steels. After helium implantation, a very low density of helium bubbles was observed. No void was observed after hydrogen implantation. For the He+/H+ sequential-beam irradiation, the number density of bubbles increased rapidly at low hydrogen dose, and the average size of bubbles increased at higher hydrogen dose. Helium bubbles were also found in the H+/He+ sequential-beam irradiated specimen, but its swelling was smaller than that for the He+/H+ sequential conditions. It was concluded that the effect of hydrogen atoms on the nucleation and growth of bubbles may enhance the diffusion of helium-atom/helium-vacancy clusters. Hydrogen irradiation after helium irradiation can increase the nucleation and growth of helium bubbles, while helium bubbles may enhance the retention of hydrogen atoms to form He-H-vacancy complexes.