High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR STEM) analysis of re-deposited layer on ASDEX Upgrade tile

Erosion and re-deposition of plasma-facing components (PFCs) is one of the most important issues in fusion devices and as such it is an area of interest for many research groups. However, the structure and composition of re-deposited layers as well as the mechanism and condition of their formation are not yet fully described and understood.In the present study, the structure and the composition of co-deposited layers, which developed at the outer divertor strike point tiles in ASDEX Upgrade during the 2009 campaign were examined. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) have been used to identify deposits composition and morphology. Tungsten foam like structure and co-deposits rich in tungsten, oxygen, carbon, boron and nitrogen were observed.