Damage and modification of materials produced by pulsed ion and plasma streams in Dense Plasma Focus device

The Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) devices PF-1000, PF-6 and PF-5M working with different gases and in dissimilar irradiation modes were used to carry out experimental investigations of irradiation of a number of materials by powerful pulsed ion and high-temperature plasma streams. The materials under test were designed for application in structural and functional components of thermonuclear fusion devices with magnetic (MPC) and inertial (IPC) plasma confinement, as well as for working chambers of plasma and accelerator devices. The main features of the materials are low-activation and radiation-resistant properties. On the basis of the investigations a significant progress was achieved in understanding of dynamics of high-energy nano- and micro-second pulsed streams in DPF from one side as well as on the mechanisms of their influence upon materials under irradiation from the other one. We demonstrated that this approach can be useful for certain tests of plasma-facing materials (e.g. W for MPC and stainless steels for IPC) and of structural (construction) elements of the above-mentioned devices subjected to pulsed high-energy radiation streams. The results obtained suggest also that DPF devices can be used in new pulse technologies for material treatment by means of powerful nanosecond and microsecond pulses of plasma and ion streams.