Real-Time Imaging of Liquid Metal Coolant Chemistry at Fusion-Relevant Conditions

Fusion reactions are the principal source of energy in the universe, yet controlling fusion energy on Earth– a feat that would solve the world’s energy problem – remains a grand science and engineering challenge for which the development and understanding of potential reactor materials poses a major roadblock. Fusion reactions can produce energy with one millionth of the equivalent fuel when using conventional chemical sources such as coal and oil, and the fuel for fusion power is readily available from water and rocks. With recent advances in plasma physics, the concept of a fusion energy power plant is now considered feasible; yet, to become economically competitive, materials are required which can withstand the extraordinarily harsh environments expected in a functioning fusion reactor. Such materials must be able to withstand high operating temperatures and high particle and heat flux -- making materials development a critical factor in determining the future success of fusion energy. In addition to having high thermal stress-resistance, materials for a fusion reactor must also demonstrate compatibility with the liquid metal coolants, resistance to radiation damage, and to the incorporation of tritium. The current understanding of corrosion mechanisms in the presence of fusion-reactor coolants at elevated temperatures is, however, limited. Thus, there is a critical need for cross-cutting collaborations to determine the mechanistic and chemical response of key reactor materials to coolants under prototypical reactor environments. The objective in this application is to collect preliminary data towards determining coolant compatibility for key prototypical nuclear fusion reactor materials.