ERO modelling of tungsten erosion and re-deposition in EAST L mode discharges

Abstract

Tungsten erosion and re-deposition at the upper outer divertor of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak has been modelled using the 3D Monte Carlo code ERO. The measured divertor plasma condition in attached L mode discharges with upper single null configuration has been used to build the background plasma in the simulations. The tungsten gross erosion rate is mainly determined by carbon impurity in the background plasma. Increasing carbon concentration can first increase and afterwards suppress the tungsten erosion rate. Taking into account the material mixing surface model, the influence of eroded particles returning to the surface on sputtering has been studied. Sputtering by eroded particles returning to the surface can significantly enhance the gross erosion by reduction of the carbon ratio within the surface interaction layer and by increasing the erosion rate due to sputtering by both eroded tungsten and carbon particles. Modelling indicates that carbon deposition occurs on the dome pla...