Boronization during the first plasma operation on EAST

Both ion cyclotron rf and glow discharge boronization have been successfully used for wall conditioning on EAST tokamak device. The whole process is monitored continuously by residual gas analyzer and film thickness monitor. These diagnostics provide detailed information about the boronization. High hydrogen inventory level observed after boronization maybe due to the boronization material used (C₂B₁₀H₁₂). Ion cyclontron rf conditioning is proved to be an efficient wall conditioning method for superconducting device because it could be carried out under toroidal magnetic field. In this paper, the procedure of boronization is described, and subsequently sample analysis and the effect on plasma operation are introduced. Conclusion is given at the end.