Damages of titanium deuteride film under non-equilibrium irradiations evaluated by high intensity pulsed ion beam

• Transformation of surface morphologies of TiD2 has been by achieved after irradiations.
• The temperature enhancement effect is codetermined by temporal and spatial factors.
• Large amount of network cracks raised after irradiations may facilitate hydrogen desorption.

Transformations of macroscopic morphologies of titanium deuteride (TiD2) films induced by high intensity pulsed ion beam (HIPIB) have been investigated to evaluate the thermo-mechanical damage mechanisms of TiD2 under irradiation of extremely non-equilibrium beams. Results reflect that melting of the deuteride film is observed at current intensity around 30 A/cm2, while the network cracking takes place when irradiated at 50 A/cm2. A type of temperature enhancement effect on the irradiated surface has been discovered during irradiation, and elements regulating this mechanism have been explored in a numerical way. Thermal stress induced network cracks are confirmed by a set of SEM photographs, and this transformation of structures must play important roles in accelerating the release and depletion of hydrogen isotopes in films.