QH-mode development and impurity transport studies
2025 Research Campaign, Thrust: Shape Rise Divertor
Purpose of Experiment
A fusion reactor requires and is predicted to operate at high high density and high temperature, with low-collisionality, and good plasma energy confinement. This must be achieved without Edge Localized Mode (ELM) transients, which occur when edge stability limits are exceeded, and can damage the reactor walls by exceeding erosion and thermal stress limits. The goal of this experiment is to (1) leverage the new DIII-D Shape and Volume Rise (SVR) divertor to develop high density, ELM-free Quiescent H-Mode (QH) operating regimes, and (2) exploit the reduced boundary temperature at high density to detach the plasma completely from the wall for the first time in these regimes, while screening impurities from the plasma, especially metals. Detachment radiates exhaust power before it can reach surfaces, keeping them cool. The SVR with strong shaping opens a path to access higher density at low collisionality, without wall damage, which is relevant to future burning plasma operation.