Work

Experimentally determined interatomic potentials in low-energy atomic collisions relevant for nuclear fusion

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Interatomic potentials were measured for combinations of chemical elements relevant for nuclear fusion. Angular scans of the scattering yield were performed on a W(110) and a Fe(100) single crystal using H e + and D 2 + beams with energies of 3 keV/atom using a time-of-flight low-energy ion scattering setup. Information on the interatomic potentials was deduced by reproducing width and intensity of minima and maxima in the angular scans in molecular dynamics simulations by adjusting the assumed screening length with a correction factor. Results from experiments were compared to common interatomic potential models and density functional theory predictions. Our measurements show that the uncorrected Thomas-Fermi-Molière and the Ziegler-Biersack-Littmark potentials overestimate the interatomic potential for the studied combinations. In contrast, the Yamamura-Takeuchi-Kawamura potential yields values slightly below our experimental result. At the same time, density functional theory predictions agree well with our experimental results for the He cases while differing significantly for the D cases.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.111.042812

Authors: Philipp M. Wolf, Eduardo Pitthan, Daniel Primetzhofer

Institution: Uppsala University

Language: English

Topic: Fusion materials and technologies

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,675