Erosion Results from Dimes and Design Implications to ITER and Starlite

Abstract

Using the DiMES mechanism at DIII–D, erosion rates of graphite, and metallic coatings of Be, V, Mo, and W have been measured under different plasma operating conditions. The measured net erosion rate for C is substantial (16 nm/s) during ELMing H–mode at a heat flux of 2 MW/m². Measured gross erosion rates of the metals are lower than expected from sputtering yields, most likely due to heavy surface contamination by carbon. The measured erosion of W is substantially lower than the other materials, and when account is taken for redeposition, it is shown to be a viable candidate for the Starlite reactor's divertor.