Initial observations in X-point target divertor discharges on MAST-U

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Lonigro, N., Verhaegh, K., Harrison, J., Lipschultz, B., Bowman, C., Federici, F., Flanagan, J., Greenhouse, D., Moulton, D., Ryan, P., Scannell, R., Silburn, S., Wijkamp, T., Brida, D., Theiler, C., Team, the EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation, Team, the MAST Upgrade
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Lonigro, N.
Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J.
Lipschultz, B.
Bowman, C.
Federici, F.
Flanagan, J.
Greenhouse, D.
Moulton, D.
Ryan, P.
Scannell, R.
Silburn, S.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Theiler, C.
Team, the EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation
Team, the MAST Upgrade
author_facet Lonigro, N.
Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J.
Lipschultz, B.
Bowman, C.
Federici, F.
Flanagan, J.
Greenhouse, D.
Moulton, D.
Ryan, P.
Scannell, R.
Silburn, S.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Theiler, C.
Team, the EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation
Team, the MAST Upgrade
contents The first high-power (> 3 MW) H-mode experiments using a double-null X-point-target (XPT) divertor configuration have been performed on MAST-U. The XPT geometry is obtained by combining a large strike point radius, similar to the Super-X divertor (SXD), with an additional X-point near the separatrix in the baffled outer divertor chambers and leads to additional exhaust benefits over the SXD. The broader electron density profile near the secondary X-point leads to additional plasma-neutral interactions, evidenced by a broader hydrogenic emission profile, and resulting in larger power and ion sinks. The increase in plasma-neutral interactions also leads to lower target electron temperatures and heat fluxes. These benefits appear to extend to transients, and preliminary evidence of improved ELM buffering in the XPT is presented. These results showcase how multiple alternative divertor configuration strategies can be combined to improve momentum, power, and particle losses, which may be required for the challenging exhaust conditions of future reactors.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_21840
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Initial observations in X-point target divertor discharges on MAST-U
Lonigro, N.
Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J.
Lipschultz, B.
Bowman, C.
Federici, F.
Flanagan, J.
Greenhouse, D.
Moulton, D.
Ryan, P.
Scannell, R.
Silburn, S.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Theiler, C.
Team, the EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation
Team, the MAST Upgrade
Plasma Physics
The first high-power (> 3 MW) H-mode experiments using a double-null X-point-target (XPT) divertor configuration have been performed on MAST-U. The XPT geometry is obtained by combining a large strike point radius, similar to the Super-X divertor (SXD), with an additional X-point near the separatrix in the baffled outer divertor chambers and leads to additional exhaust benefits over the SXD. The broader electron density profile near the secondary X-point leads to additional plasma-neutral interactions, evidenced by a broader hydrogenic emission profile, and resulting in larger power and ion sinks. The increase in plasma-neutral interactions also leads to lower target electron temperatures and heat fluxes. These benefits appear to extend to transients, and preliminary evidence of improved ELM buffering in the XPT is presented. These results showcase how multiple alternative divertor configuration strategies can be combined to improve momentum, power, and particle losses, which may be required for the challenging exhaust conditions of future reactors.
title Initial observations in X-point target divertor discharges on MAST-U
topic Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.21840