Mini AIMday Big Science Technology • Challenge 3 – IFMIF-DONES

Companies and researchers are invited to a focused Mini AIMday featuring three concrete technical challenges from two leading European research facilities. The objective is to explore innovative, commercially viable solutions in collaboration with industry and academia, while strengthening future opportunities within the Big Science market.

For further information or to express interest, please contact frida.tibblincitron@bigsciencesweden.se

Challenge 3 – IFMIF-DONES
Which ceramic materials can replace hexagonal boron nitride in an ECR deuterium ion source to enable stable 140 mA D⁺ beam production during continuous operation for at least six months?

Operating conditions:
·      Cold, magnetised deuterium plasma
·      ~1 kW RF power at 2.45 GHz
·      ~0.0875 T magnetic field
·      High D⁺ fraction and beam stability required
·      Continuous operation ≥6 months

Background:
Two ceramic disks inside the plasma chamber are essential for beam quality and stability. The current material degrades too quickly to meet the facility’s high-availability requirements.