Removal of in vessel Tokamak dust by laser techniques

Abstract

Dry Laser Cleaning (DLC) and Laser-induced Shockwave Cleaning (LSC) techniques useful for dust Tokamak control are described. Coupled with a sucking device, DLC can unstick and recover metallic particles but the most efficient laser is an UV one with short pulse duration (less than 10 ns). LSC is able to blow particles from hot area to storage area where they can be recovered after a while. Thus, both DLC and LSC show ITER relevancy at a laboratory scale. They seem both difficult to be integrate in the ITER environment except if they can be embarked on a Remote Handling system. Furthermore, their efficiencies are optimum at atmospheric pressure and this could be not compatible with the ITER Active Gas handling System.