In this paper we present a summary of recent DIII-D divertor physics a
ctivity and plans for future divertor upgrades. During the past year,
DIII-D experimental effort was focused on areas of active heat and par
ticle control and divertor target erosion studies, Using the DIII-D Ad
vanced Divertor system we have succeeded for the first time to control
the plasma density and demonstrate helium exhaust in H-mode plasmas.
Divertor heat flux control by means of D-2 gas puffing and impurity in
jection were studied separately and in both cases up to a factor of fi
ve reduction of the divertor peak heat flux was observed. Using the Di
MES sample transfer system we have obtained erosion data on various ma
terial samples in well diagnosed plasmas and compared the results with
predictions of numerical models.