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Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminars
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“Results and Future Directions of the HSX stellarator“
Date: Monday, November 20th
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Place: Note: change of location - 1325 Computer Science
Speaker: Benjamin Faber, UW–Madison
Abstract: The Helically Symmetric eXperiment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is the world's only quasihelically symmetric stellarator. This talk will provide an overview of HSX and the benefits of quasisymmetric stellarators as candidates for fusion reactors. This talk will highlight some of the important scientific achievements of HSX, such as the effective reduction of neoclassical transport due to quasisymmetry and the measurement of strong plasma flow. Answering other questions, such as the nature of fluctuations and turbulence in HSX, will be tackled by the ongoing HSX upgrade, where the magnetic field will be increased from 1T to 1.25T. These plasmas will be heated by a new 500 kW gyrotron to enable higher density operation, as well as through a neutral beam to reach higher ion temperatures. Coupled with ever-improving diagnostic capabilities, the HSX upgrade will open a new area of research in the physics of quasishelically symmetric stellarators, with a strong focus on understanding the flow profile, core turbulence characteristics, and the physics of the HSX edge. Progress towards the upgrade as well as predictions for upgraded plasma performance will be presented.

Bio: Benjamin holds a PhD in Physics for the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a BS from Caltech. A computational physicist by training, he is an expert on turbulence in stellarator devices. Benjamin is currently an HSX Scientist in the Department of Engineering Physics at UW–Madison working on building new tools and infrastructure for stellarator optimization, with a focus on turbulent optimization.
Host: Prof. Steffi Diem
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