From 24 March to 4 April 2025, a delegation of 12 employees from ASIPP (Hefei, China) took an active part in the experimental sessions at the WEST tokamak.
The delegation was led by Prof. Xianzu GONG, chief pilot of the EAST tokamak and co-leader of the joint Task Force on the study of long-duration plasmas in EAST and WEST in preparation for BEST*. For the first time, two weeks of experiments on WEST have been reserved almost exclusively for the EAST/WEST collaboration. The dedicated experiments carried out on WEST focused on divertor physics, the study of tungsten sources and transport, and radio-frequency heating. The WEST team was extremely willing to welcome their colleagues from ASIPP, who were delighted with their stay and the in-depth discussions in the control room. Interesting results were obtained and their analysis continues.
*“Joint Task Force on long pulse operation in EAST and WEST in preparation of BEST”. BEST pour “Burning Experimental Superconducting Tokamak » is a new tokamak currently under construction
“Thanks for the support of WEST team for this joint experiment! After several video conferences and preparations by both working groups before the experiment, very good experimental data were obtained in the limited experimental time; through the on-site ‘face-to-face’ in-depth exchanges, the next step of the research plan was determined to focus on the common challenges faced by WEST/EAST in the face of the high parameter steady state operation of the two devices, focusing on the RF waves, heating and current drive, as well as the plasma-wall interaction under all-tungsten conditions. The next research program will focus on RF-wave heating and current drive and plasma-wall interaction under all-tungsten conditions.”
Prof. Xianzu GONG – Chief Operator of EAST
“This is my first time to conduct a joint experiment at WEST, and I am deeply impressed by the collaborative working atmosphere. We have got a lot of support and help during the preparation processes and many good suggestions were received. The overall organization is very thoughtful and many thanks to the WEST team!”
Prof. Rui DING – Deputy Director of the division of EAST Operation and Physics Experiment :
“Since the kick-off meeting for EAST/WEST joint experiments was held in Cadarache last November, the total 12 proposals from EAST submitted on WEST had been deeply discussed and accepted. I really appreciate WEST’s great concern and support making our experimental times well -considered and our shot plans well-prepared. With the great help from WEST terrific experimental team, my session was very successfully carried out related to the study of current profile broadeing for LHW plasma. I’m looking forward to future more exiciting EAST/WEST joint experiments both on WEST and EAST, and expecting our EAST/WEST joint task-force together to address and solve most critical LPO challenges in support of ITER and future fusion device.”
Prof. Juan HUANG – Deputy Director of the division of EAST Operation and Physics Experiment
“Together with Pierre Manas, we have made an experimental proposal for high-Z tungsten impurity transport at the WEST device, which is one of the important research topics related to ITER. Our experimental proposal is well supported by our WEST colleagues and is progressing well. Later, we expect to publish 2-3 collaborative papers, which will provide reference for future ITER operation under metal walls. The deep international cooperation between WEST and EAST, two devices with long-pulse operation capability, is beneficial for solving the critical issue of steady state operation.”
Prof. Ling ZHANG – Deputy Director of the division of EAST Diagnostics