Cloud drifts over eroding surfaces in magnetic field configurations with three field components

Recently a two-dimensional code (P. Lalousis, L.L. Lengyel, Nucl. Fus. 40 (2000) 1511) has been developed for calculating the time evolution of radiating vapour clouds formed over ablating solid surfaces subjected to magnetically confined energetic plasma particles. This model has now been extended to consider the effects of magnetic fields with three components. Results of comparative calculations pertaining to the erosion rates of the base plates and other characteristics are presented for three different approximations. The computational results presented show that the shielding characteristics of the evolving vapour layer are influenced by: the E×B-type drift, and how the magnetic field lines are inclined with respect to the drift side.