Study of deuterium and hydrogen distributions in Ta|CD2|Ta, Ta|Ta|CD2|Ta|Ta, and Nb|CD2|Nb assemblies after exposure to high-temperature argon plasma

Abstract

Assemblies made of Ta|CD₂|Ta, Ta|Ta|CD₂|Ta|Ta and Nb|CD₂|Nb foils are irradiated with pulses of high-temperature argon plasma created by means of a “Plasma Focus” setup. The irradiated foil samples are investigated by recording the recoil nuclei of hydrogen and deuterium. It is found that hydrogen and deuterium are redistributed in foil stacks. The ultradeep penetration of light gas impurities (hydrogen and deuterium) can be explained by the influence of shock waves on the foils and accelerated diffusion under an external force.