Deuterium Uptake in Iron Oxide $(Fe2O3)$ Under $D2+$‐Plasma Exposure Available to Purchase

We have studied implantation of low‐energy deuterium ions into $Fe2O3$ films and deuterium (D)‐uptake in $Fe2O3$ films, which were prepared by oxidation of Fe sheets in air at 400 °C for 20 min. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the films are mixture of hexagonal $α‐Fe2O3$ (hematite) and cubic $γ‐Fe2O3$ (maghemite). According to Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) of 1.8 MeV $H+,$ the composition is found to be crudely stoichiometric $(Fe:O = 2:3).$ The samples were subjected to $D2+$‐plasma exposure using AC‐glow discharge. The amount of D‐uptake in $Fe2O3$ is evaluated to be $∼6×1016 cm2$ for AC voltage of 1.5 kV in 0.4 Torr of $D2$ gas for 15 min. The amount of D‐uptake in $Fe2O3$ appears to be larger by a factor of three than that in Fe. Comparisons of XRD patterns and RBS spectra before and after $D2+$‐plasma exposure show no appreciable change of the crystalline structure, quality and composition.