Challenges of plasma material interactions

Plasma-material interactions (PMI) in future fusion plants are recognized as the major obstacle in the development of fusion energy for mankind. The interaction of the hot and powerful plasma with its surrounding wall will potentially limit the service lifetime of the plasma-facing components (PFCs) to uneconomic short time durations (< 1year). The challenges are manifold and are related to the high particle and heat fluxes to the PFCs as well as to the intense 14MeV neutron fluxes to these components, which all change the material properties considerably. This section will review the status of PMI research and the challenges of PMI for future fusion power plants. A perspective to potential solutions for PFC applications will be given. In addition, strategic R&D path elements will be discussed. This will include a discussion of the most promising materials and the required testing capabilities.