Deuterium release from lithium–deuterium films, deposited in the magnetron discharge

• A setup for magnetron deposition and in situ TDS measurement has been developed.
• The deposited films are mainly metallic Li.
• TDS spectra have two sharp peaks with maxima at 710 K and 850 K.
• Large amount of deuterium is accumulated in the films.
• After 3 days of atmospheric exposure, no deuterium remains in the films.

A set-up for co-deposition of lithium–deuterium mixed films and in situ thermal desorption spectroscopy is described. The set-up consists of a HV chamber with a magnetron discharge for Li–D co-deposition, UHV chamber for thermal desorption measurements and a sample transfer system between the chambers. It was found that a large amount of deuterium was accumulated in the lithium films. Deuterium thermal desorption spectra had two sharp peaks with maxima around 710 K and 850 K. Li–D films kept in air at room temperature lost deuterium; no deuterium was detected in the films after three days in air.