Innovative Divertor Design Enhances Power Exhaust in Fusion Reactors

Recent research published in the paper titled "Divertor shaping with neutral baffling as a solution to the tokamak power exhaust challenge" by K. Verhaegh and 22 co-authors addresses a significant challenge in fusion energy: the effective management of power exhaust from the hot fusion core to the plasma-facing components. The study focuses on the MAST Upgrade tokamak, which features advanced capabilities for divertor shaping and strong containment of neutrals in the exhaust area.

The authors present evidence that modifying the divertor shape to create long-legged divertors with a high magnetic field gradient can yield substantial benefits for power exhaust. These modifications reportedly lead to reduced heat loads on the target components and enhanced stability of a neutral gas buffer, which acts as a shield to improve power exhaust efficiency.

Key findings include:

• Long-legged divertors expand the plasma-neutral interaction volume, which helps lower particle and power loads.
• Total flux expansion improves access to detachment, a state where the plasma can effectively release energy without damaging the reactor components.
• The integration of physical structures to contain neutrals enhances the benefits of the divertor shaping.

These advancements suggest that strategic variations in divertor geometry and magnetic topology could provide practical solutions to one of the most pressing issues in fusion energy development, potentially paving the way for more efficient reactor designs in the future. The full paper can be accessed at arXiv:2311.08586.