Exploration of integrated solution for the control of transient and steady-state divertor heat flux compatible with high-confinement core plasma is a major frontier issue in magnetically confined fusion research. In 2020, a breakthrough was obtained with physical experiments on EAST: based on the earlier achievement of small grassy edge-localized modes (ELMs), EAST firstly achieved high-performance plasma compatible of high-frequency small grassy ELMs and radiative tungsten divertor feedback controlled by X-point radiation. These experiments have demonstrated that tungsten divertor detachment or partial detachment can be steadily maintained with good confinement of core plasma. The underlying mechanism for the divertor detachment has also been revealed. These results propose a new integrated heat-flux control solution for the high-performance steady-state operation of future fusion reactors. Results have been published in Nuclear Fusion.

Compatibility operation of high-performance grassy-ELM regime and radiative tungsten divertor feedback controlled by X-point radiation in EAST

Compatibility operation of high-performance grassy-ELM regime and radiative tungsten divertor feedback controlled by divertor ion saturation current density in EAST