Deuterium and hydrogen distribution in a stack of Ta|(CD₂) _n |Ta foils under the action of high-temperature pulsed nitrogen plasma

Abstract

Using the method of the elastic recoil detection (ERD) of hydrogen nuclei and a Plasma Focus setup (PF-4), we study the processes of the storage and redistribution of hydrogen and deuterium atoms in a stack of two tantalum foils and a deuterated polyethylene film sandwiched between them under pulsed irradiation with hot nitrogen plasma. It is established that the redistribution of implanted deuterium and hydrogen occurs at greater depths in both tantalum foils after 30 pulses of nitrogen plasma. The maximum concentrations of hydrogen and deuterium, namely 7 and 45 at % are observed on the surface of the second tantalum foil which is more distant from the PF-4 setup. The redistribution of deuterium from deuterated polyethylene onto the surface and volume of both Ta foils is observed. The observed phenomenon can be explained by the breaking of chemical bonds in the deuterated polyethylene and the transfer of freed deuterium into the Ta foils under the action of strong shock waves formed in the structure, as well as the accelerated diffusion of hydrogen and deuterium in the stress field caused by the shock wave.