Particle control systems at the edge of RFP experiments

Plasma performance in reversed field pinch (RFP) devices, as in the tokamak, is strongly affected by neutrals at the edge. So far only a few experiments have been dedicated to an active control of the neutral particle using conventional solutions of axisymmetric magnetic divertors or throat limiters. The alternative `vented pump limiter' concept is more attractive for an RFP experiment due to the edge plasma and confinement properties of this magnetic configuration. In this paper, the application of a vented pump limiter to an RFP is discussed and the prototype module of the vented pump limiter designed for the RFX experiment is presented. Finally, the optimization of this concept for a next step RFP device is presented.