Optimization of laser ablation technique for deposited layer removal on carbon plasma facing components

Abstract A laser ablation technique has been adapted for removal of the deposited layers on carbon plasma facing components from Tore Supra. This paper describes in detail the experiments performed to adjust the scan parameters and optimize the laser ablation technique. The goal was to reduce the process duration in order to be able to treat large surfaces. To remove layers up to 50 μm thick, with an Ytterbium fiber laser of 1 mJ, the process duration limit is 20 h/m 2 . The conditions to reach 1 h/m 2 are presented. Confocal Microscopy (CM) as well as Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) and Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS), were used to assess the thickness of the layers removed and the Deuterium content before and after ablation. The efficiency of the laser ablation technique to remove the D content is established.