Physical simulation of plasma-refractory metals interaction for nuclear applications. Simulazione fisica dell'interazione plasma-metalli refrattari per applicazioni nucleari

Refractory metals are of great interest like plasma facing materials and are candidates for realizing the divertor armours in future nuclear fusion reactors. For this application, the materials must withstand steady state heat loads in the range 5-20 MWm-2 and transient heat load events such as plasma disruptions. This work presents the main results of an extended experimental campaign carried out to simulate the interaction between plasma and some refractory metals like tungsten (bulk and plasma sprayed), W-1%La2O3 and molybdenum. The interaction plasma-material has been simulated by an intense laser pulse and the resulting damage has been analysed taking into account the physical and microstructural differences between the examined materials.