AUTHOR=Huang Jia , Liu Haocheng , Gao Zhiying , Su Yue , Liu Qingyuan , Ge Wei , Luo Fengping , Xia Songqin , Cao Liuxuan , Xue Jianming , Wang Yugang , Wang Chenxu TITLE=Helium-Hydrogen Synergistic Effects in Structural Materials Under Fusion Neutron Irradiation JOURNAL=Frontiers in Materials VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2022.849115 DOI=10.3389/fmats.2022.849115 ISSN=2296-8016 ABSTRACT=

In fusion reactors, 14 MeV high-energy neutron irradiation of structural materials will produce large amounts of helium and hydrogen simultaneously with displacement defects. These He and H atoms will interact with displacement defects, leading to He-H synergistic effects and aggravating the irradiation damage. Currently, there exist no available high-flux fusion neutron sources. Additionally, the neutron energy spectrum and the generation of He and H in fission reactors or spallation neutron sources greatly differ from those in fusion reactors. Multi-ion beam irradiation is a promising method to emulate the synergistic effects induced by fusion neutron irradiation. This review summarizes the experimental studies on the He-H synergistic effects, and analyzes the effects of He and H on cavity evolution and swelling under multi-ion beam irradiation. The roles of various experimental factors are also discussed. More systematically controlled experiments are suggested to develop a comprehensive understanding of He-H synergistic effects in structural materials.