The Coordinated Research Project on "Data for surface composition dynamics relevant to erosion processes" is organized to increase understanding of erosion processes in fusion devices, such as ITER. Plasma constituents, such as ions and electrons interact with the solid wall materials of fusion devices, leading to erosion of wall materials and later re-deposition of those materials. Several different processes can take place in such interactions, such as physical sputtering, reflection, and various chemical reactions. Often, the details of such interactions are not well enough known to understand and predict erosion processes in fusion devices. In many cases even the pathways of eroded materials are not well known. This CRP will use experimental and theoretical techniques to address these issues, resulting in a better overall understanding of erosion processes and possible methods to mitigate such effects in future fusion devices.
Potential candidates will be nominated through consultation with the IFRC Subcommittee and experts in plasma-surface interaction processes.
This CRP and its topic has a significant importance in the fusion communities.
The CRP initiated a Technical Meeting on "Improving the Database for Physical and Chemical Sputtering" held in Dec 2011 to review the existing database for physical and chemical sputtering of fusion wall materials and to make recommendations about priorities for further work.
Also, the CRP laid a foundation for a joint ICTP-IAEA Conference on "Models and Data for Plasma-Material Interaction in Fusion Devices" held in Nov 2014. Since then it has expanded to a biennially organized international conference series "MoD-PMI" with IAEA being the co-organizer and a Scientific Committee member.
Further, the CRP paved the way for organizing follow-up CRPs, such as "Data for Erosion and Tritium Retention in Beryllium Plasma-Facing Materials (2012-2016)", "Plasma-wall Interaction with Irradiated Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys in Fusion Devices (2013-2017)" and "Plasma-wall Interaction with Reduced-activation Steel Surfaces in Fusion Devices (2015-2019)".
The CRP topic is highly relevant for the design and operation of new fusion devices, such as ITER. The fusion plasma constituents interact with the fusion reactor plasma-facing materials through a variety of processes such as sputtering, absorption, reflection and chemical processes. This CRP brings validated data to these various erosion processes assisting in predicting and extrapolation of plasma operations to reactor conditions.