A Real-time Automated Plasma Integrated Diagnostic (RAPID) for spatially and temporally resolved evaluation of plasma-exposed surfaces

Due to the wide array of energetic particles and species that are present in plasma, plasma-surface interactions offer unique abilities to deliver both energy and chemically active species to the surface of materials. This characteristic is common across all plasma-based technologies and processes, and the thermal and chemical processes of plasma-surface interactions are the mechanistic basis of numerous technologies of fundamental interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). To support these technologies, there is a critical need to characterize the plasma-facing surfaces with resolution and sensitivity to be able to monitor these energy transport mechanisms and resulting structural/chemical modifications, particularly using in situ/operando methods. To address this gap, Laser Thermal will provide an innovative and adaptable fiber-optically integrated thermoreflectance sensor for plasma-surface diagnostics. This Phase II project will build on the success of the Phase I project and develop a fully functional 300 mm scanning platform, which includes the control systems, analysis, and scan capabilities.