Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar

DIII-D research towards ITER and future fusion power plants

Date: Monday, October 19th

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall

Speaker: Auna Moser, General Atomics

Abstract: The DIII-D National Fusion Facility is a tokamak user facility in San Diego, operated by General Atomics for the US Department of Energy. The DIII-D research program brings together universities, national laboratories, and private companies to advance physics understanding and close gaps towards ITER and future fusion power plants (FPPs). This presentation will provide an overview of recent experimental results highlighting progress in core-edge integration, preparations for ITER and other burning plasmas, and advances in plasma-interacting technologies. Core-edge results include characterization of high-pressure and -density regimes accessible with a new Shape and Volume Rise divertor geometry, high-poloidal-β scenarios, naturally small-Edge Localized Mode (ELM) regimes, and characterization of small-ELM fluences extrapolatable to future devices. Research preparing for ITER and other burning plasmas includes demonstration of increased diagnostic resolution with machine-learning techniques, device-independent real-time radiation front control, observation of Alfven eigenmode activity suppressing turbulence, and characterization of runaway electrons in low density startup. Plasma-interacting technology advances include helicon heating and current drive, first-of-a-kind direct measurements of runaway electron wall heating and damage, and a survey of potential plasma-facing materials for FPPs. Upcoming facility upgrades, including a new divertor currently under installation, will also be presented.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, using the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, a DOE Office of Science user facility, under Award DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Host: Vladimir Zhdankin

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