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Publications in Scientific Journals:

S. Brezinsek, J. Coenen, T. Schwarz-Selinger, K. Schmid, F. Aumayr, B. Berger, R. Stadlmayr, D. Tskhakaya, R. Zaplotnik, WP PFC contributors et al.:
"Plasma-wall interaction studies within the EUROfusion consortium: progress on plasma-facing components development and qualification";
Nuclear Fusion, 57 (2017), 1160411 - 1160419.



English abstract:
The provision of a particle and power exhaust solution which is compatible with first-wall
components and edge-plasma conditions is a key area of present-day fusion research and
mandatory for a successful operation of ITER and DEMO. The work package plasma-facing
components (WP PFC) within the European fusion programme complements with laboratory
experiments, i.e. in linear plasma devices, electron and ion beam loading facilities, the studies
performed in toroidally confined magnetic devices, such as JET, ASDEX Upgrade, WEST etc.
The connection of both groups is done via common physics and engineering studies, including
the qualification and specification of plasma-facing components, and by modelling codes that
simulate edge-plasma conditions and the plasma-material interaction as well as the study of
fundamental processes. WP PFC addresses these critical points in order to ensure reliable and
efficient use of conventional, solid PFCs in ITER (Be and W) and DEMO (W and steel)with respect to heat-load capabilities (transient and steady-state heat and particle loads),
lifetime estimates (erosion, material mixing and surface morphology), and safety aspects (fuel
retention, fuel removal, material migration and dust formation) particularly for quasi-steadystate
conditions. Alternative scenarios and concepts (liquid Sn or Li as PFCs) for DEMO are
developed and tested in the event that the conventional solution turns out to not be functional.
Here, we present an overview of the activities with an emphasis on a few key results: (i) the
observed synergistic effects in particle and heat loading of ITER-grade W with the available set
of exposition devices on material properties such as roughness, ductility and microstructure; (ii)
the progress in understanding of fuel retention, diffusion and outgassing in different W-based
materials, including the impact of damage and impurities like N; and (iii), the preferential
sputtering of Fe in EUROFER steel providing an in situ W surface and a potential first-wall
solution for DEMO.

Keywords:
plasma-facing components, plasma-surface interaction, power exhaust, particle exhaust, tungsten, beryllium

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.