Finalizing the ITER divertor design: The key role of SOLPS modeling

► This is a review of the development of edge plasma modeling at ITER and of its interaction with the evolving divertor design. ► The SOLPS (B2-Eirene) code has been developed for the evaluation and the design of the ITER divertor for the last 15 years. ► Divertor modeling has developed into essential design tool synthesizing information from theoretical analysis, experimental studies, and engineering intuition. ► A number of examples given in the paper illustrate this process. The paper presents a review of the development of edge plasma modeling at ITER and of its interaction with the evolving divertor design. The SOLPS (B2-Eirene) code has been developed for, and applied to, the evaluation and the design of the ITER divertor for the last 15 years. With respect to the physics and engineering design, divertor modeling had started as an evaluation tool and has developed into essential design tool synthesizing information from theoretical analysis, experimental studies, and engineering intuition. Examples given in the paper illustrate this process.