A high-power edge-localized mode (ELM) striking onto divertor components presents one of the strongest lifetime and performance challenges for plasma facing components in future fusion reactors. A high-repetition-rate ELM replication system has been constructed and was commissioned at the Magnum-PSI linear device to investigate the synergy between steady state plasma exposure and the large increase in heat and particle flux to the plasma facing surface during repeated ELM transients in conditions aiming to mimic as closely as possible those in the ITER divertor. This system is capable of increasing the electron density and temperature from ∼1 × 10 20 m −3 to ∼1 × 10 21 m −3 and from 1 to 5 eV respectively, leading to a heat flux increase at the surface to ∼130 MW m −2 . By combining Thomson scattering measurements with heat fluxes determined using the THEODOR code, the sheath heat transmission factor during the pulses was determined to be ≈7.7, in agreement with sheath theory. The heat flux is found to be linearly dependent upon the strength of the magnetic field at the target position, and, by adapting the system to Pilot-PSI, tests at 1.6 T showed heat fluxes of more than 600 MW m −2 . This gives confidence that with the installation of a 2.5 T superconducting magnetic solenoid at Magnum-PSI the heat flux will reach the ITER-relevant gigawatt per square metre heat flux regime.

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Several laser based diagnostics are implemented on to the linear plasma generator Magnum-PSI, wherein ITER divertor relevant plasma-wall conditions are realized. Laser Induced Desorption Quadrupole Mass Spectroscopy (LID-QMS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) are installed to measure deuterium retention in plasma facing components. Combined with Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy, LID-QMS can be used to measure lateral retention profiles. LIBS is used to measure the surface composition qualitatively, after plasma exposure. An advanced Thomson Scattering (TS) system measures electron density, neutral density and electron temperature profiles (spatial resolution < 2 mm) across the maximum 100 mm plasma diameter. Very low electron density (9 × 10 18 m −3 ) can be measured within seconds with accuracies better than 6%. The minimum measurable electron density and temperature are ∼ 1×10 17 m −3 and ∼ 0.07 eV, respectively. By virtue of the high system sensitivity, single pulse TS can be performed on high density pulsed plasmas (used for replicating ELMs). For measuring the ion temperature and flow velocity of the plasma a Collective TS system (CTS) is being built: the small Debye length of the Magnum-PSI plasma enables application of this method at relatively short laser wavelength. In a feasibility study it was shown that forward CTS with a seeded Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, can be applied at Magnum-PSI to measure ion temperature and axial velocity with an accuracy of < 8% and < 15%, respectively. Two high spectral resolution (∼ 0.005 nm) detection schemes are applied simultaneously: an Echelle grating spectrometer (enabling profile measurements) and a system based on a Fabry-Perot etalon that enables wavelength scanning over its free spectral range, by tilting the device. The status and performance of the various laser based plasma and surface diagnostics will be reported along with experimental results.

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