Micron-Bubble Formation on Polycrystal Tungsten due to Low-Energy and High-Flux Helium Plasma Exposure

Surface modification of polycrystal tungsten due to low-energy and high-flux helium plasma exposure was investigated. Micron-sized holes and bubbles were formed on the surface at a surface temperature of 2200 K even when the incident ion energy of helium was 10 eV. Hole formation was significantly reduced on the surface when the incident ion energy of helium was around 5 eV and no surface modification was seen at less than 5 eV. Coalescence of micron-sized helium bubbles was observed in the cross section of a W sample.