Experimental results from TEXTOR are presented to provide strong evide
nce for the feasibility of the ''cold radiative plasma mantle'', a con
cept which might be a possible solution for the energy exhaust problem
in a fusion reactor. The concept is compared with the high density di
vertor. The compatibility to other constraints, limitations and open p
roblems are discussed, in particular the issues of stationarity (feed-
back control, thermal instabilities, q=2), energy confinement, He-exha
ust and fuel dilution.