If you would like to learn more about the IAEA’s work, sign up for our weekly updates containing our most important news, multimedia and more.
Utilization of the Network of Small Magnetic Confinement Fusion Devices for Mainstream Fusion Research
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
F13014CRP
1753Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
18 April 2016Description
Small magnetic confinement fusion devices such as tokamaks, stellarators and others have played and continue to play an important role in fusion research. Thanks to their compactness, flexibility, low operation costs and the high skill of their personnel they contribute to a better understanding of phenomena in a wide range of fields such as plasma confinement and energy transport, plasma stability in different magnetic configurations, plasma turbulence and its impact on local and global plasma parameters, processes at the plasma edge and plasma-wall interaction, scenarios with additional heating and non-inductive current drive, etc. Moreover, the experimental work on small fusion devices is very appropriate for educating students, scientific activities of post-graduate students and for training of personnel for larger fusion devices. 2004 saw, within the framework of the Co-ordinated Research Project “Research Using Small Tokamaks” (CRP-RUST), the start of an interactive research effort based on the use of small tokamaks for investigations in mainstream fusion science areas. The CRP-RUST was completed in 2008 and its main trusts lied in testing of new diagnostics, materials and technologies as well as in education, training, and broadening of the geographical spreading of fusion research. Eventually, the CRP-RUST has established a framework of co-operation of small tokamaks with the aim to co-ordinate research through the exchange of information and equipment, scientific visits, and joint experiments. This concept has clearly demonstrated its value and potential for enhancing international collaborations and increased the impact of the small tokamak community.The present CRP follows the recommendation by experts to broaden the framework established through the CRP-RUST to a larger community of magnetic confinement devices (other than tokamaks) contributing to mainstream fusion research. Hence, this CRP seeks to establish a network of small magnetic confinement fusion devices that will be utilized to perform joint and comparative experiments to support technology development, modeling analysis and the development of simulation and communication tools. This will open the door for more Member States to join the research efforts and contribute to the success of magnetic confinement fusion.
Objectives
The overall objective of this CRP is to contribute to streamlining the contributions of small magnetic confinement fusion devices to mainstream fusion research by establishing a network of cooperation enabling coordinated investigations of topics of relevance to physics, diagnostics and technology issues of next step fusion devices such as ITER and DEMO.
Specific objectives
Establishment of a network of small magnetic confinement fusion devices
Provide training and education activities to members of the network
Utilization of the network to perform joint and comparative experiments on a number of selected devices
Utilization of the network to support modelling analysis and the development of simulation and communication tool
Utilization of the network to support technology development, e.g. novel diagnostics, materials and techniques
Impact
This CRP provided a unique possibility to strengthen the links among the various institutions hosting devices that are part of the network. It also provided opportunities for scientific cooperation among developed and developing countries. In addition, developing countries have been able to benefit from a large number of capacity building and human resource development activities offered throughout the CRP. The Joint Experiments organized on different devices played a key role in enabling the exchange of information as well as experience and was instrumental in broadening the scientific scope of the exploitation of the devices involved. Finally, the CRP has considerably contributed to streamlining the contributions of smaller devices to the science and technology of larger devices.
Relevance
A network of 14 small magnetic confinement fusion devices successfully established within this CRP was used to conduct collaborative studies of relevance to main stream fusion research. In particular, the network was used to perform annual Joint Experiments at different facilities. Joint Experiments offer the advantage of increasing the intellectual diversity in the scientific exploitation of the targeted facilities. In addition, various scientific research and development activities were conducted at participating Institutions. These include experiments to characterize the edge and core plasmas using a unique set of dedicated diagnostics; the development of new technologies such as high temperature superconducting coils for fusion magnets and affordable microwave sources for plasma pre-ionization; the development of novel diagnostics; and the application of modelling tools to support experimental activities. Also, the established network facilitated contributions towards capacity building through the provision of training and education activities conducted at various devices within the network.