Abstract
We examined compatibility of lithium oxide (Li2O, tritium breeding materials) single crystals with nickel (Ni) foils by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) with He ions and protons. After heating the samples at 673 K for 3600 s without electric fields, or after applying the electric field of 200 V mm−1 between the Ni contacted surface (positive) and the free back surface (negative) of Li2O crystals at 673 K for 3900 s, any reactions were not observed between the Ni foils and the Li2O crystals. On the other hand, after applying the electric field of 300 V mm−1 at 353 K for 600 s, heavy reactions were observed. That is, lithium and oxygen atoms migrated into the Ni foil, and Ni atoms diffused into the Li2O crystals. In addition, we examined the effect of the reverse electric field on reactions, and found a heavier reaction for the attractive force of lithium ions.
