Avenues and challenges in material processing and synthesis under extreme conditions in pulsed high energy density plasma focus device

Milestone nuclear fusion facilities, based on both magnetic and inertial plasma confinement concepts, are currently under construction or in operation aiming at demonstrating ignition and energy gain. One of the critical concerns in this field is the characterization and development of advanced plasma and radiation facing materials which will be able to withstand the extreme radiation and heat loads expected in fusion reactors. The dense plasma focus (DPF) device, a coaxial plasma gun, that compresses the plasma to very high energy density (~10¹⁰-10¹¹ J/m³) and offers a complex mix of high energy ions (~10 keV to few MeV), immensely hot (~1-2 keV) and dense (~10²⁵ m^-3) pinch plasma, fast moving ionization wave-front, and a strong shockwave. The power flux density of ~10⁶-10¹² W/cm², heat flux factor of ~10²-10⁹ W.s^0.5/cm², neutron yield of ~10⁴-10¹¹ neutrons/shot, and soft/hard x-rays in the photon energy range of several hundreds of eV to hundreds of keV with maximum wall plug efficiency of about 5% have been estimated for DPF devices operating at different capacitor bank storage energies proving a unique plasma and radiation environment highly suitable for not only investigating materials under extreme conditions but also for synthesizing material with novel physical properties.