Overview of the plasma-surface interaction on limiter surfaces in the startup campaign of Wendelstein 7-X

The first operational campaign of Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) provided an excellent environment for the study of plasma-surface interaction (PSI) in a stellarator. In situ spectroscopic analysis via a combined visible/infrared camera system and a filterscope system revealed that the primary erosion zone was correlated with the high heat flux regions on the limiter. This analysis matched to where the erosion zone was found in the post-mortem analysis, which was done with scanning electron microscopy/focused ion beam/electron dispersive x-ray spectroscopy imaging. Additionally, a region of prompt deposition was found to the inside of these high heat flux zones. A region of far scrape-off layer (SOL) deposition was found at the edges of the limiter tiles. All deposition regions were identified by their homogeneous, increased oxygen content compared to the pure carbon makeup of the limiters. Poloidal variation of the impinging heat flux follow the imprint of the 3D SOL flux tubes. In how far this reflects in the PSI will require further analysis and modeling.