Features of Metal Hydrogenation during Electron Irradiation

Abstract

This paper considers metal hydrogenation and hydrogen release from metals under electron irradiation. The study shows that there are two processes during irradiation: the increase in the hydrogen yield from metal and the increase in the ability of hydrogenated metal to accumulate the energy of a beam of accelerated electrons. The energy introduced into hydrogenated metal is preserved for a longer period when compared to pure metal in time scales of electronic relaxation. Electron irradiation accelerates the saturation of metals with hydrogen and deuterium. Deuterium and hydrogen participate in the collective excitation of the internal hydrogen atmosphere of metals. This effect is explained by the nonequilibrium migration and release of hydrogen from metals. The migration of hydrogen isotopes during irradiation can be used to enhance the light isotope separation.

Keywords

• electron irradiation
• electron beam
• deuterium
• palladium
• titanium