Heat and particle flux detachment with stable plasma conditions in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator fusion experiment

Reduction of particle and heat fluxes to plasma facing components is critical to achieve stable conditions for both the plasma and the plasma material interface in magnetic confinement fusion experiments. A stable and reproducible plasma state in which the heat flux is almost completely removed from the material surfaces was discovered recently in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator experiment. At the same time also particle fluxes are reduced such that material erosion can be mitigated. Sufficient neutral pressure was reached to maintain stable particle exhaust for density control in this plasma state. This regime could be maintained for up to 28 seconds with a minimum feedback control.
Comment: Aimed at Physical Review Letters