Fatal damages due to breakdown on a diagnostic mirror located outside the vaccum vessel in JT-60U

Kajita, Shin*; Hatae, Takaki; Sakuma, Takeshi; Takamura, Shuichi*; Ono, Noriyasu*; Itami, Kiyoshi

Recently, enhancement of the initiation of arcing on divertor surfaces has been pointed out due to the surface morphology change and transient heat loads, such as ELMs and disruptions. Inside the vacuum vessel, it seems that the arcing has been frequently observed, and the existences are more or less recognized. However, it is likely that arcing or breakdown phenomena take place not only inside the vessel, but also outside the vessel. In this study, we will report that a diagnostic mirror in JT-60U, which was located outside the vacuum vessel, for Thomson scattering measurement optics in JT-60U has been seriously damaged by some discharge phenomena. Because the damages were so fatal that the mirror had to be replaced after the breakdown. Details of the characteristics of the damage are revealed from the observation of the trails. Furthermore, the mechanism to cause the damages is discussed based on the observation. Many fine trails were found on the surface. The trails could be categorized into two different types with respect to the trail width. It is thought that surface discharge was initiated on the mirror. The mechanisms to lead the damages were discussed based on the observation. This study issues warning on the components to be installed in ITER and future fusion devices both inside and outside the vacuum vessel.