PLASMA DETACHMENT FROM DIVERTOR TARGETS AND LIMITERS

Authors
Citation
Gf. Matthews, PLASMA DETACHMENT FROM DIVERTOR TARGETS AND LIMITERS, Journal of nuclear materials, 222, 1995, pp. 104-116
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Nuclear Sciences & Tecnology","Mining & Mineral Processing","Material Science
ISSN journal
00223115
Volume
222
Year of publication
1995
Pages
104 - 116
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-3115(1995)222:<104:PDFDTA>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
Plasma detachment from a divertor target is defined as the state in wh ich large gradients in total plasma pressure (static plus dynamic) are observed parallel to the magnetic field with consequent reductions in the plasma power and ion fluxes to the limiting surfaces. The origins of this concept and the first experiments in a linear divertor simula tor are described. Experimental evidence for this phenomenon from the JET, JT60-U, DIII-D, Alcator C-Mod. and ASDEX-U tokamaks is reviewed a long with recent advances in the theory and modelling of detached plas mas applicable to current experiments. Plasma detachment from limiters was first reported by TFTR in 1985, shortly followed by DITE and TEXT OR. This phenomenon occurs in low power discharges near the density li mit and is characterised by a shrinking of the layer where most of the ionisation occurs away from the limiter. The physics, phenomenology a nd relevance to fusion of detachment from limiters and diverters are c ontrasted.