Five widely used interatomic potentials (IAP) for tungsten were used to simulate collision cascades in crystal tungsten. Three of the IAP were embedded atom model (EAM) based [1,2,3] whilst the other two were machine learning (ML) based [4,5]. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out for primary knock-on atoms (PKA) having energies 5, 10, 20, 50, 75, 100 and 150 keV. The PKA...
Machine-learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs) are a promising new approach that allow us to make atomistic material predictions with close to first principles DFT accuracy at a fraction of the cost. The new developments of foundation model MLIPs over the last year [1,2] are especially promising for modelling alloys. In this poster, I will benchmark an iron MLIP that we have developed using...
The impetus behind this abstract comes in relation to studies in experimental nuclear reactors with walls made up of materials containing simple atoms (e.g., Be, C, N), referred to as PFPs or plasma-facing materials, that may react with the fuel atoms (H, D, T) producing BeH, CH, NH, and their cations, all this related to the long-time elusive quest for controlled nuclear fusion energy...
Tungsten (W) is a promising candidate material for the plasma-facing surfaces of nuclear fusion devices. The interaction of helium (He) with W is of interest because the wall of a nuclear fusion device will be subject to high fluxes of He produced in the DT-fusion reaction. Furthermore, neutron irradiation will create He in the bulk by nuclear reactions.
Simulations on the atomic level...
Understanding the impact dynamics of high-velocity tungsten (W) dust on helium-implanted W targets is crucial for predicting material degradation in fusion reactor environments. In this study, we employ large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the interaction mechanisms governing the response of W surfaces under extreme impact conditions. The simulations reveal the...
Fusion within Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) devices occurs through three primary mechanisms, primarily influenced by plasma conditions and the electrodes material: beam-beam interactions, beam-background gas collisions, and beam-target interactions with electrode surfaces. Beam-background and beam-target fusion mainly contribute to neutron production. The rate of beam-background...
Plasma-facing materials (PFM) play crucial role in fusion reactors. It has been estimated that fusion energy, once commercially available, would contribute as much as 5% of the total electricity production in ASEAN. If one-tenth of such a fusion cost were from fusion materials, advanced fusion materials could constitute about 7.6 x 10⁸ USD with a possible four percent annual growth rate....
Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion systems incorporating Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) techniques serve as compact neutron sources, capable of sustained neutron fluxes exceeding 1×10¹¹ neutrons per second, and beyond. These reactors produce neutrons primarily through Deuterium-Deuterium (DD, approximately 2.45 MeV) and Deuterium-Tritium (DT, approximately 14.1 MeV) fusion...
Ensuring the efficient performance of fusion devices requires a comprehensive understanding of plasma-facing materials and components under extreme operational conditions and neutron fluxes, particularly in the EU DEMO system. Neutrons with energies up to 14 MeV play a dual role in tritium breeding and energy production but also interact with in-vessel materials, causing activation, decay...
The study of plasma-material interaction (PMI) in fusion devices relies critically on understanding and controlling the properties of the edge or boundary plasma, which bridges the hot core plasma and the plasma-facing components (PFCs). The accurate modelling of the boundary plasma is a valuable tool to support the interpretation of experimental results and to guide the design of plasma...
Plasma-wall interaction (PWI) is a key topic to be addressed for the safe operation of
nuclear fusion reactors. Non-hydrogenic species, like helium (He) produced by D-T
fusion reactions or argon (Ar) injected in tokamaks as a seeding impurity, need special
attention. Their large mass may enhance the erosion of plasma facing components
(PFCs), but they also increase radiation cooling, which...
Historically, atomistic simulations of plasma–wall interactions (PWI) have been carried out using methods such as binary collision approximation, molecular dynamics (MD), and density functional theory. In these approaches, an incident particle from the plasma to the wall has been generally substituted by neutral atoms instead of ions due to the limitation of simulation models. However, the...
Controlling plasma-wall interactions (PWI) is a key challenge in the field of nuclear fusion, as it directly impacts the efficiency, safety, and operational reliability of future reactors. Linear Plasma Devices (LPDs), such as GyM, play a crucial role in studying PWIs by replicating charge-exchange neutral fluences characteristic of ITER's main chamber. Projectile energy is tuned via...
