Dust in magnetic confinement fusion devices and its impact on plasma operation

The formation mechanisms of dust particles in fusion devices and the possible interactions of dust with fusion plasmas are discussed. The growth of small particles in the plasma edge of fusion discharges is suggested in analogy to the well-known growth in reactive process plasmas (dusty plasmas). Results from the analysis of collected dust from TEXTOR-94 and first in situ observations by laser light scattering are presented, giving indirect evidence for some of the discussed mechanisms. Dust formation is an important PSI issue with serious potential implications and deserves future in depth studies.