PMIF-2011 -- Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities --

1. PMIF-2011 -- Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities -- Summary by C.C. Klepper, ORNL 21-Sep-2011

2. Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities -- Summary • In the 1st PMIF workshop, it was concluded that the existence of diverse Test Stands, each with special capability was still very beneficial to the PMI community. • This session, in this second PMIF Workshop seemed to confirm this conclusion. • Highlights from a number of different PMIFs were presented and each one used its strengths related to the presented focus work.

3. Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities -- Summary • Be sputtering measurements in PISCES-B (Russ Doerner, UCSD). • Careful studies of Be erosion, using a separate Be oven to add neutrals and simulate redeposition, • Effectively working to shed light on apparent discrepancies between JET, PISCES-B, Ion Beam and TRIM calculation predictions for Be erosion. • Also working toward answering why TRIM is consistent with experiments with graphite but not with Be. • Effective use of ex-situ surface analysis, specifically ion beam analysis (~1500 keV H+) to analyze samples treated in PMIFs (Marek Rubel, KTH/Stockholm). • Impurities were detected on the sample surface and their incorporation could affect erosion and redeposition. • In PMIFs the impurities can arise from the cathode, the anode or other walls and can depend of source operating conditions. •  important to consider impurity effects when scaling results from different operational parameters.

4. Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities -- Summary • The 2-beamline driven GLADIS facility used to achieve DEMO level heat AND particle fluxes on W and W-alloy samples considered for the modular divertor target (Henri Greuner, IPP-Garching). • Operation with mixed gases, • DEMO relevant ion energies, to get the correct penetration depths. • Leads to concern about current specs for the DEMO divertor and leads to a recommendation to lower the upper limit to heat and particle fluxes. • A study of H2 Retention and Physical/Chemical Evaporation Problems from the Interactions between ECR Plasma and FLiNaK Molten Salt using a PMIF (Taihyeop Lho, NFRI-Daejeon, Korea) • Effective use of an ECH plasma that provides for Te and Ne. • Spectroscopic study of the F plasma interaction with this F-rich molten salt with H plasma  clear that fluorine chemistry plays a big role in hydrogen retention. • Also interesting that there are other viable liquid wall materials beyond Li.

5. Topic II: Recent research highlights in PMI facilities -- Summary • Effective use of GOL-3 to test an emerging material for containement and flow of liquid lithium in a Li divertor (Andrey Shoshin, Budker Institute). • SIBUNIT - part of a new class of highly porous C-C composites, featuring a high chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, fiber strength and active coals content. • The high electron energy content of the GOL-3 facility is exploited to demonstrate the chemical stability of the material. • Innovative ways, in which the GAMMA-10 mirror facility is being used to simulate the boundary plasma and target material surface (Mizuki Sakamoto, Tsukuba University). • This includes an expansion area in which a large, instrumented, highly rotatable divertor plate is installed. • Radiation cooling can be provided to simulate divertor detachment. • High Ne &Te resulting for ECH heating provide good divertor parameters. • Among new diagnostics, BES was mentioned.