High-fluence and high-flux performance characteristics of the superconducting Magnum-PSI linear plasma facility

Highlights: • 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 10²⁵ m⁻²s⁻¹ and heat fluxes of up to 50 MW m⁻² are obtained. • Particle fluences of up to 10³⁰ particles m⁻² have been achieved. • Linear regression and artificial neural network analysis have been applied. -- Abstract: The Magnum-PSI facility is unique in its ability to produce and even exceed the heat and particle fluxes expected in the divertor of a fusion reactor, combined with good access to the plasma-material interaction region for diagnostics and relatively easy sample manipulation. In addition, it is possible to study the effects of transient heat loads on a plasma-facing surface, similar to those expected during so called Edge Localized Modes. By virtue of a newly installed superconducting magnet, Magnum-PSI can now maintain these conditions for hours on end for truly long term tests of candidate plasma facing materials. The electron density and temperature in the plasma beam center as a function of different magnetic fields up to 1.6 T, gas flow and source current are determined: particle fluxes greater than 10²⁵ m⁻²s⁻¹ and heat fluxes of up to 50 MW m⁻² are obtained. Linear regression and artificial neural network analysis have been used to gain insight in the general behavior of plasma conditions as a function of these machine settings. The plasma conditions during transient plasma heat loading have also been determined. These capabilities are now being exploited to reach fluence of up to 10³⁰ particles m⁻² at ITER-relevant conditions, equivalent to a significant fraction of the divertor service lifetime for the first time.