Applications of Zr-V hydrogen getters in vacuum-plasma devices: Phase-structural and hydrogen sorption characteristics

The paper considers materials science aspects of the applications of the reversible hydrogen getters in vacuum-plasma devices. The selection of hydrogen getter material, which is located in the vacuum chamber of the installation, is based on a convenience of switching of its functions from the "internal" source of hydrogen supply to the mode of control over the hydrogen pressure by chemically "pumping" hydrogen from the volume into the getter. The energy of plasma particles bombarding the surface of the material allows controlling the supply of the plasma-forming gas (hydrogen). The arc-melted ZrV alloy modified by small amounts of oxygen was used as getter material. Hydrogen sorption characteristics of the alloy were studied in the Sieverts-type setup. The hydrides were characterised by vacuum Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction was employed to study phase-structural composition of the getter and its hydride. A technology of the production of the MH elements for vacuum-plasma installations has been developed. The MH elements on the basis of the H-saturated ZrV(O) alloy have shown a resistance against sputtering during their bombardment by high-energy particles in vacuum. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.