Overview of the JET results in support to ITER

TLDR

The 2014–2016 JET results are reviewed to optimize the ITER research plan for both active and non‑active operation. The paper reviews prospects for the upcoming D–T campaign and the 14 MeV neutron calibration strategy. The study reports ITER‑relevant disruption experiments and first‑principle modelling using three disruption‑mitigation valves that mimic the ITER configuration. The findings show over 60 h of plasma operation with ITER first‑wall materials, validate ITER neutronics codes, support multi‑machine scaling of type I‑ELM divertor energy flux density, provide new insights into L–H transition thresholds and edge structures, and demonstrate that H‑mode plasmas at ITER triangularity can be sustained at 2 MA for 5 s, underscoring the impact of first‑wall material on confinement.

Abstract

The 2014–2016 JET results are reviewed in the light of their significance for optimising the ITER research plan for the active and non-active operation. More than 60 h of plasma operation with ITER first wall materials successfully took place since its installation in 2011. New multi-machine scaling of the type I-ELM divertor energy flux density to ITER is supported by first principle modelling. ITER relevant disruption experiments and first principle modelling are reported with a set of three disruption mitigation valves mimicking the ITER setup. Insights of the L–H power threshold in Deuterium and Hydrogen are given, stressing the importance of the magnetic configurations and the recent measurements of fine-scale structures in the edge radial electric. Dimensionless scans of the core and pedestal confinement provide new information to elucidate the importance of the first wall material on the fusion performance. H-mode plasmas at ITER triangularity (H = 1 at βN ~ 1.8 and n/nGW ~ 0.6) have been sustained at 2 MA during 5 s. The ITER neutronics codes have been validated on high performance experiments. Prospects for the coming D–T campaign and 14 MeV neutron calibration strategy are reviewed.