Characterization of functional materials for liquid blanket systems by cathodoluminescence measurement

Abstract Applicability of cathodouminescence (CL) measurements in development of functional materials for advanced liquid blanket systems was investigated by using a conventional scanning microprobe and CCD spectrometer. Firstly, CL spectra of lithium compounds for tritium fuel breeding, oxide, nitride and carbide functional materials for advanced blanket systems, fluoride materials for coolants, etc. were obtained to construct a database. Relations between changes in the spectra and the crystallinities of specimens were examined for ZrO 2 , Y 2 O 3 and TiO 2 coatings baked at different temperatures. The specimens with lower crystallinities showed broader luminescence peak at longer wavelengths. Changes in CL spectra by irradiation damages were also examined for Y 2 O 3 and SiC by ion beam irradiations. Since luminescence intensity decreased significantly for the specimens with low crystallinities, an SEM system which can control the electron beam current more than 2 orders while keeping the spatial resolution of