Magnum-PSI is an advanced linear plasma device uniquely capable of producing plasma conditions similar to those expected in the divertor of ITER both steady-state and transients. The machine is designed both for fundamental studies of plasma-surface interactions under high heat and particle fluxes, and as a high-heat flux facility for the tests of plasma-facing components under realistic plasma conditions. To study the effects of transient heat loads on a plasma-facing surface, a novel pulsed plasma source system as well as a high power laser are available. In this article, we will describe the capabilities of Magnum-PSI for high-heat flux tests of plasma-facing materials.

The Magnum-PSI facility is available for plasma-material interaction studies. • Magnum-PSI is capable to reach relevant plasma parameters for the ITER divertor. • Particle fluxes over 10 25 m-2 s-1 and heat fluxes of up to 50 MWm-2 are obtained. • Particle fluences of up to 10 30 particles m-2 have been achieved. • Linear regression and artificial neural network analysis have been applied.

An advanced Thomson scattering system has been built for a linear plasma generator for plasma surface interaction studies. The Thomson scattering system is based on a Nd:YAG laser operating at the second harmonic and a detection branch featuring a high etendue (f /3) transmission grating spectrometer equipped with an intensified charged coupled device camera. The system is able to measure electron density (n e ) and temperature (T e ) profiles close to the output of the plasma source and, at a distance of 1.25 m, just in front of a target. The detection system enables to measure 50 spatial channels of about 2 mm each, along a laser chord of 95 mm. By summing a total of 30 laser pulses (0.6 J, 10 Hz), an observational error of 3% in n e and 6% in T e (at n e = 9.4 × 10 18 m −3 ) can be obtained. Single pulse Thomson scattering measurements can be performed with the same accuracy for n e > 2.8 × 10 20 m −3 . The minimum measurable density and temperature are n e < 1 × 10 17 m −3and T e < 0.07 eV, respectively. In addition, using the Rayleigh peak, superimposed on the Thomson scattered spectrum, the neutral density (n 0 ) of the plasma can be measured with an accuracy of 25% (at n 0 = 1 × 10 20 m −3 ). In this report, the performance of the Thomson scattering system will be shown along with unprecedented accurate Thomson-Rayleigh scattering measurements on a low-temperature argon plasma expansion into a low-pressure background.

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A high-power edge-localized mode (ELM) striking onto divertor components presents one of the strongest lifetime and performance challenges for plasma facing components in future fusion reactors. A high-repetition-rate ELM replication system has been constructed and was commissioned at the Magnum-PSI linear device to investigate the synergy between steady state plasma exposure and the large increase in heat and particle flux to the plasma facing surface during repeated ELM transients in conditions aiming to mimic as closely as possible those in the ITER divertor. This system is capable of increasing the electron density and temperature from ∼1 × 10 20 m −3 to ∼1 × 10 21 m −3 and from 1 to 5 eV respectively, leading to a heat flux increase at the surface to ∼130 MW m −2 . By combining Thomson scattering measurements with heat fluxes determined using the THEODOR code, the sheath heat transmission factor during the pulses was determined to be ≈7.7, in agreement with sheath theory. The heat flux is found to be linearly dependent upon the strength of the magnetic field at the target position, and, by adapting the system to Pilot-PSI, tests at 1.6 T showed heat fluxes of more than 600 MW m −2 . This gives confidence that with the installation of a 2.5 T superconducting magnetic solenoid at Magnum-PSI the heat flux will reach the ITER-relevant gigawatt per square metre heat flux regime.