Molecular dynamics simulations of boronized graphite surfaces under bombardment by deuterium

The addition of boron to graphite plasma facing components in fusion devices has been shown reduce the sputtering of wall material and increase deuterium retention. This has the effect of preventing cooling of the plasma by sputtered material, improving the performance of these fusion devices. Using the molecular dynamics code LAMMPS, we investigate the boronization of graphite surfaces, describing the formation of an amorphous boron/carbon layer. We explore the effect of boron bombardment energy on the nature of this amorphous layer, and further study the sputtering products and evolution of the boronized graphite surfaces under bombardment by deuterium.