Global SOLPS-ITER and ERO2.0 coupling in a linear device for the study of plasma–wall interaction in helium plasma

Abstract

Plasma–wall interaction (PWI) is a great challenge in the development of a nuclear fusion power plant. To investigate phenomena like erosion of plasma-facing components, impurity transport and redeposition, one needs reliable numerical tools for the description of both the plasma and the material evolution. The development of such tools is essential to guide the design and interpretation of experiments in present and future fusion devices. This contribution presents the first global simulation of PWI processes in a linear plasma device mimicking the boundary plasma conditions in toroidal ones, including both the description of plasma and impurity transport and of plasma-facing material evolution. This integrated description is obtained by coupling two of the state-of-the-art numerical codes employed to model the plasma boundary and the PWI, namely SOLPS-ITER and ERO2.0. Investigation of helium plasma is also of primary importance due to the role helium will have during ITER pre-fusion power operation, when it is planned to be used as one of the main plasma species, as well as fusion ash in full power operation. The plasma background is simulated by SOLPS-ITER and the set of atomic reactions for helium plasmas is updated, including charge-exchange and radiative heat losses. ERO2.0 is used to assess the surface erosion in the GyM vessel, using different wall materials (e.g. carbon, iron or tungsten) and applying different biasing voltage. Eroded particles are followed within the plasma to assess their redeposition location. The ionization probability of the different materials in the GyM plasma is inferred through the energy distribution of impacting particles and its effects on migration are investigated.