Since the publication of the review Progress in the ITER Physics Basis (PIPB) in 2007, significant progress has been made in understanding the processes at the plasma-material interface. This review, part of the ITPA Nuclear Fusion Special Issue On the Path to Burning Plasma Operation, presents these developments, focusing on key areas such as the physics of plasma exhaust, plasma-material interactions, and the properties of plasma-facing materials and their evolution under plasma exposure. The coordinated efforts of the ITPA Topical Group on Scrape-Off Layer and Divertor Physics (DivSOL) have been instrumental in identifying and addressing critical research and development issues in numerous collaborative experimental and modelling projects.
This review paper summarizes the recent progress in understanding the plasma-material interface in tokamak fusion devices, focusing on the physics of plasma exhaust, plasma-material interactions, and the properties of plasma-facing materials. The coordinated efforts of the ITPA Topical Group on Scrape-Off Layer and Divertor Physics have been crucial in addressing critical research and development issues.