Particle Solid Interactions

Mission

The Materials Processing and Characterization (MPC) group operates the Ion Beam Laboratory of the Accelerator and Radiation Technologies Unit of Técnico Lisboa. Its major interest is to use ion beam analysis to unveil the fundamental processes behind plasma-material interactions and to develop new materials with engineered properties. Particle solid interactions in the universe are governed by the fundamental laws of physics and most of these phenomena can be mimicked in the laboratory. Our group uses the installed capabilities to explore medium low energy interactions of charged particles with matter. Furthermore, the enormous potential of ion beam techniques allowed us to establish a multidisciplinary programme of collaborations with national and international research groups in multiple research fields. The research activities carried out by the group address the challenges related with plasma interaction with materials in fusion devices. The outcomes of these studies are fundamental to understand the characteristics of the dominant erosion, deposition and fuel retention patterns and validate the theoretical models available. It is expected that the results will contribute for the success of the Fusion Programme making this controllable source of energy available for the human kind. The participation of the ion beam laboratory in the European network on ion beam infrastructures supports other important research activities on modelling and tailoring the properties of low dimensional material structures and new materials with particular emphasis on wide band gap semiconductors and metal oxides, where a major step will be the development of new optoelectronic devices to support future technologies.

Goals

Plasma Wall Interaction studies and Materials Development:
  • Study erosion/depositon and retention properties in the ITER Like Wall in JET;
  • Development of new compounds for fusion applications and study of their erosion and retention properties;
Properties of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (WBS) and Insulating Materials by ion irradiation:
  • Study the effect of ion irradiation on the properties of WBS hetero- and nanostructures;
  • Doping and tailoring the electrical and optical properties of nanostructures by irradiation in order to enhance their efficiency for sensing applications;
  • Fostering the potential of ion implantation and ion irradiation to process advanced WBS structures for light emitters and sensors.

Plasma Wall Interactions
Radiation Effects in Materials
Ion Beams

18 Sep 2018

Nuclear Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science: 62th IAEA General Conference Side Event.
26 Jan 2018

Rediscovering the past through material analysis: collaboration between C2TN and IPFN researchers.
01 Nov 2016

Eduardo Alves received a Certificate of Outstanding Contribution in Rewiewing: in recognition of the contributions made to the quality of the Journal of "Nuclear Instr. and Methods in Phisycs Research: B".

For other dissemination activities in which MPC researchers are involved please contact Catarina Rocha or Teresa Pires.

Prof. Eduardo Alves, Group Leader
Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear
Instituto Superior Técnico
Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear
Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7)
2695-066 Bobadela LRS - Portugal