Toroidal distribution of heat load on castellated plasma facing components for lower divertor target in EAST

In tokamak devices, the performance of plasma facing components (PFCs) under high heat loads is a key challenge for achieving long-pulse and high-performance plasma operations. The lower divertor of EAST adopts an ITER-like cassette modules (CMs) structure. However, regular distribution of damage along the toroidal direction have been observed on the divertor target plates, which not only affects the lifespan of PFCs but also limits the long-pulse and high-performance plasma operations. Therefore, investigating the toroidal distribution of the heat load on the divertor target in EAST is crucial for understanding the mechanism of damage on the target plate surface. The toroidal characteristics of heat loads on CMs of the lower divertor in EAST was analyzed using a three-dimensional magnetic field line tracing program (PFCFlux). For the inner vertical target (IVT) and outer vertical target (OVT) within a single CM, the heat load varies monotonically along the toroidal direction. In contrast, the heat load distribution on the outer horizontal target (OHT) is uniform, except at the chamfers, which is directly correlated with the target’s geometric structure and the magnetic field configuration. The surface heat load distribution exhibits toroidal non-uniformity, with the heat deposition pattern being generally consistent and displaying periodic variations. The toroidally uneven heat load distribution is attributed to the change in the magnetic field’s tilt angle. Additionally, the peak heat load is observed at the chamfer positions between cassettes, and an analysis is conducted on the relationship between peak heat load and the size of the chamfer. Smaller tilt angles result in lower surface heat load. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of peak heat loads at the chamfer under different plasma current conditions reveals that higher plasma currents generally result in increased peak heat loads. This investigation into the toroidal heat load distribution on the divertor surface contributes to understanding of the damage mechanism of W PFC as the target plate and provides valuable data for divertor design of future fusion devices.