Thermal modeling of runaway electron induced damage in the SPARC tokamak

Journal article, 2026

The integrity of plasma-facing components (PFCs) in tokamaks is critically challenged by transient events such as runaway electron (RE) impacts. We report the first systematic analysis of the thermal damage to tungsten-based PFC tiles comprising the SPARC outboard off-midplane limiters that is induced by RE beams formed during vertical displacement events. Parametric scans in RE impacting characteristics as well as energy-pitch distribution functions from the Dream code are employed for calculations of the volumetric heat loads. A realistic panel design is adopted to enhance the fidelity of the thermal analysis. The PFC thermal responses are compared in terms of in-depth temperature profiles and damage characteristics, such as melt depth and vaporization losses.