Application of intense plasma-ion streams emitted from powerful PF-type discharges for material engineering

Abstract

This paper concerns various applications of powerful ion- and plasma-streams generated by high-current pulse discharges realized within different plasma-focus (PF) facilities. General characteristics of the emitted plasma-ion streams are summarized. The possibility of application of special arrangements, e.g. cryogenic targets, CD2 or metal wires, hydrogen or deuterium getters, special alloy targets, etc, is described. The paper presents results of different experiments oriented on the interaction of the pulsed plasma-ion streams with various material targets placed inside PF-360 device (at IPJ in Swierk) and PF-1000 facility (at IPPLM in Warsaw). Attention is paid to plasma–target interactions and influence of the material targets on emission characteristics of the PF-type discharges. The diagnostics includes current and voltage measurements, optical photography and spectroscopy, x-ray emission observations and fast-neutron measurements (from deuterium discharges). Particular attention is paid to time-resolved spectroscopic studies. The use of pulsed ion- and plasma-streams for modifications of different materials, e.g. those of particular interest for the construction of nuclear fusion reactors, is described.