Diffusion of 6Li in Ta and W

Abstract

The objective of this work was the study of 6Li diffusion in the Ta and W refractory metals. The samples were prepared by ion implantation of 380keV 6Li+ ions into W and Ta thin foils (up to the fluence of 1016ions/cm2) and annealed up to the temperature 1940°C. The depth profiles of 6Li were determined using the Thermal Neutron Depth Profiling (TNDP) technique. The results showed that diffusion of 6Li in both W and Ta foils is very complex and cannot be described by simple Fick’s laws. Trapping centers (in the subsurface layers of both W and Ta metals) were supposed in a trial to explain the 6Li diffusion behaviour. However, the 6Li depth profiles were only partly explained. Other aspects are necessary to take into account for more proper quantification; such as spatially dependent diffusion coefficients, etc.