Simulation of Environment Effects on Retroreflectors in ITER

Two plasma diagnostics in ITER will use cube-corner reflectors (CCR): poloidal polarimetry and toroidal interferometry/polarimetry. The multichannel poloidal polarimetry system is planned to operate at a wavelength of 118.8μm. The multichannel toroidal interferometry/polarimetry system is based on a CO2 laser operating at wavelengths of 10.6 and 9.27μm. The long term sputtering by charge exchange atoms and/or deposition of carbon-based (or beryllium-based) contaminant layers can affect the optical properties of the CCR. The role of both these potentially deleterious effects on the CCR operation is analyzed in this article, taking into account the probing beam wavelength and the CCR locations. The conclusion is that for the intended use of a CCR in the poloidal polarimetry at 118μm neither erosion nor deposition should pose a problem. On the other hand, in the toroidal interferometry/polarimetry system operating at 10μm, care must be taken to reduce the charge exchange atom flux and it is likely that deposition will occur and could have deleterious effects especially on the polarization properties of the reflected radiation.