Plasma-surface interaction in the Be/W environment: Conclusions drawn from the JET-ILW for ITER

Main observations are: (a) low primary erosion source in H-mode plasmas and reduction of the material migration from the main chamber to the divertor (factor7) as well as within the divertor from plasma-facing to remote areas (factor30-50). The energetic threshold for beryllium sputtering minimises the primary erosion source and inhibits multi-step re-erosion in the divertor. The physical sputtering yield of tungsten is low as 10-5 and determined by beryllium ions. (b) Reduction of the long-term fuel retention (factor10-20) in JET-ILW with respect to JET-C. The remaining retention is caused by implantation and co-deposition with beryllium and residual impurities. Outgassing has gained importance and impacts on the recycling properties of beryllium and tungsten. (c) The low effective plasma charge (Zeff=1.2) and low radiation capability of beryllium reveal the bare deuterium plasma physics. Moderate nitrogen seeding, reaching Zeff=1.6, restores in particular the confinement and the L-H threshold behaviour. ITER-compatible divertor conditions with stable semi-detachment were obtained owing to a higher density limit with ILW. Overall JET demonstrated successful plasma operation in the Be/W material combination and confirms its advantageous PSI behaviour and gives strong support to the ITER material selection.