Surface effects and impurity production in tokamak machines

Plasma-wall interactions are presently investigated in two ways: a) The a priori assumption of a mechanism responsible for impurity release. Relevant experimental data can be used in a model and calculations made in order to understand the observed impurity behaviour in plasma. b) The comprehensive investigation of samples exposed to a plasma. Recent investigations have confirmed the earlier assumption that the interactions occur only in the topmost atomic layers of the wall, and so emphasize the major role of surface physics on this field. These investigations have further shown that besides atomic processes, such a desorption or sputtering, other processes occur, extending on a microscopic rather than an atomic scale. These are for example evaporation, arcing, and mechanical stress. Both aspects are discussed as far as possible in a quantitative way. The contribution of most probable processes is estimated using data available on flux and energy of particles and yields of single processes. The conclusion is reached that no process can be disregarded. Several processes seem to contribute to the impurity release and are different at different phases of the discharge. An interdependence between these processes is likely. (Auth.)