Models of the surface of aluminum mirrors bombarded by ions from a deuterium plasma

Changes in the optical properties of samples of aluminum-alloy mirrors caused by ion bombardment with ions from a deuterium plasma, which imitates conditions that can exist upon the operation of the first mirrors for diagnostics of plasma in an ITER, have been investigated. The basic methods of studying the mirror surfaces were ellipsometry and reflectometry; as an additional procedure, Auger electron spectroscopy was used. It has been found that the coefficient of reflection of mirrors decreases as a result of irradiation by ions with an energy of ∼1 keV, but it can be restored by the subsequent irradiation by ions with a lower energy (∼60 eV). The complex of experimental studies that were performed was used as a base for the selection of a mathematical model for a correct interpretation of ellipsometric data. The results of multiple-angle and spectral ellipsometry were analyzed in terms of the models of a clean surface and single-layer films. On the basis of the analysis of experimental data and simulation of the effective medium, we proposed a mechanism, which explains the results of the experiment; this mechanism is based on (1) the chemical processes in the surface layer in the first cycle of “degradation-restoration” and (2) the development of roughness as a result of a sequence of procedures of “degradation-restoration.”