Physics of Plasma-Wall Interactions in Controlled Fusion, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1986 NATO ASI Series

Controlled thermonuclear fusion is one of the possible candidates for long term energy sources which will be indispensable for our highly technological society. However, the physics and technology of controlled fusion are extremely complex and still require a great deal of research and development before fusion can be a practical energy source. For producing energy via controlled fusion a deuterium-tritium gas has to be heated to temperatures of a few 100 Million °c corres­ ponding to about 10 keV. For net energy gain, this hot plasma has to be confined at a certain density for a certain time One pro­ mising scheme to confine such a plasma is the use of i~tense mag­ netic fields. However, the plasma diffuses out of the confining magnetic surfaces and impinges on the surrounding vessel walls which isolate the plasma from the surrounding air. Because of this plasma wall interaction, particles from the plasma are lost to the walls by implantation and are partially reemitted into the plasma. In addition, wall atoms are released and can enter the plasma. These wall atoms or impurities can deteriorate the plasma performance due to enhanced energy losses through radiation and an increase of the required magnetic pressure or a dilution of the fuel in the plasma. Finally, the impact of the plasma and energy on the wall can modify and deteriorate the thermal and mechanical pro­ perties of the vessel walls.

to the Physics of Plasma Wall Interactions in Controlled Fusion.- Introduction: Approaches to Controlled Fusion and Role of Plasma-Wall Interactions.- Plasma Physics.- The Plasma Sheath.- Plasma Flow in the Sheath and Presheath of a Scrape-off Layer.- Probes for Plasma Edge Diagnostics in Magnetic Confinement Fusion Devices.- Plasma Edge Diagnostics using Optical Methods.- Atomic Physics.- Atomic and Molecular Collisions in the Plasma Boundary.- Surface Physics.- Physical Sputtering of Solids at Ion Bombardment.- Chemical Sputtering and Radiation Enhanced Sublimation of Carbon.- Ion Backscattering from Solid Surfaces.- Implantation, Retention and Release of Hydrogen Isotopes in Solids.- Surface Erosion by Electrical Arcs.- Electron Emission from Solid Surfaces.- Bulk Material Properties.- Properties of Materials.- Fusion Experiments and Theory.- Plasma Transport near Material Boundaries.- Plasma Models for Impurity Control Experiments.- Neutral Particle Transport.- Particle Confinement and Control in Existing Tokamaks.- Limiters and Divertor Plates.- Advanced Limiters.- Divertor Tokamak Experiments.- Plasma Wall Interactions in Heated Plasmas.- Plasma-Wall Interactions in Tandem Mirror Machines.- Systems for Reactor Experiments.- Lecturers.- Participants and Staff.