Helium nucleation in liquid metals

Abstract

Obtaining a successful nuclear fusion reaction is a really hard task. One of the factors that we must consider is the high temperatures that the blanket that wraps up the plasma can achieve. Due to this issue, the metals that are used acquire liquid properties, being then a problem when contacting with the helium resulting from the nuclear fusion reaction of tritium. This is due to the fact that helium bubbles are formed at the pressure and temperature conditions that take place in these devices. These bubbles must be studied as that they can compromise the efficiency of the breeding blanket, and thus the efficiency of the reactor. For this purpose, two simulation methods will be used: Monte-Carlo (MC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD). These bubbles were reproduced under controlled conditions at a certain range of pressures, and the results were compared with available experimental data.