Radiation damage research at LAMFI: Laboratory of Materials and Ion Beams

Resumo

Nuclear energy represents 13% of the present worldwide electric power consumption, but in Brazil only about 2.4% of the energy matrix is due to the nucleo-electric power. As the Brazilian hydroelectric capabilities have been threatened by the water supply shortage by environmental conditions, nuclear technology need to overcome specific challenges aiming at supporting the nuclear reactors development in a sustainable, reliable and efficient perspective. This work addresses the recent theoretical and experimental activities carried out at IFUSP, FATECSP–CEETEPS and POLI-USP in the field of materials sciences and the current challenges of using ion beams to emulate neutron damage in cladding materials candidates with enhanced properties towards accident conditions. Additionally, a new vacuum system is introduced coupled to the LIO-LAMFI1 implanter allowing to extend the capability of the system to perform implantation at temperatures higher than room temperature. Keywords: Nuclear Materials, Implanter, Ion Beams, Irradiation Damage, Rutherford Backscattering, Vacuum Technology, SRIM.