Measurement methods associated to laser ablation technique in layer removal process on Plasma Facing Components

During tokamak operation, Plasma Facing Components (PFC) are exposed to high heat load from plasma radiation and particle overflow. Thus, materials forming the PFC armor are eroded in high flux areas and deposited in low flux areas, in form of layers, more or less thick and sticky. These layers can pollute the plasma discharge, and above all trap a part of the plasma hydrogen isotopes (deuterium or tritium). For safety reasons, the in vessel tritium inventory is limited and it is essential to control and/or to develop methods for removing the tritium trapped in the vessel walls. Laser ablation techniques are well suited to achieve this goal.