2. SUBJECT FIELDS FOR JOINT RESEARCH
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- 2. Subject Fields for Joint Research
2-3. Nuclear Fusion Dynamics
( 1 ) Designated Joint Research
Designated Joint Research 2, 3 and 4 are related to the field of Nuclear Fusion Dynamics.
( 2 ) International Joint Research
1 ) Collaborative research on tokamak plasma experiments
A linear plasma device PANTA (Plasma Assembly for Nonlinear Turbulence Analysis) has been developed to study the basic physics of the non-equilibrium plasmas. A TRIAM project produced the remarkable achievement of steady state tokamak operation by achieving a world record tokamak discharge in excess of 5 hours 16 minutes. POP of steady state tokamak operation (SSTO) will enhance the attractiveness of electricity production from fusion power plants. In addition to SSTO, important scientific subjects are being pursued in the field of PWI study for the duration where interactions between the plasma and surrounding wall reaches equilibrium. In particular, “wall pumping and release” and co-deposition of the fueled particles and redeposited wall materials are shown as key issues to control the fusion power in steady state. Following the expertise acquired through the SSTO project, and particularly experience with driving plasma current by radio frequency waves, the QUEST project has been proposed to demonstrate steady state operation of the spherical tokamak (ST) plasma by RF waves and investigate the controllability of particles under the high temperature wall relevant to the future reactor condition. Aiming to contribute to the ITER project, the RF technology and in-situ diagnostics of the wall properties are under development. Since 2008, QUEST has developed through collaborative research in two-way collaboration with the NIFS and other universities as well as this framework. Expected future collaborations are as follows,
- 1-1 ) Steady state operation of high temperature plasmas and plasma wall interaction (PWI)
- 1-2 ) Plasma wave-particle interaction
- 1-3 ) Intrinsic plasma rotation in the core and flow in the periphery and scrape off layer (SOL)
- 1-4 ) Plasma heating by electron cyclotron wave (ECW), and microwave application to plasma diagnostics
- 1-5 ) Development of particle circulation and plasma control
Regarding 1-1, our group is interested in the research topics related to plasma facing components as follows; time evolution of particle recycling, deposition of metallic impurity, heat flux distribution, the relationship between surface temperature and particle recycling. In 1-2, using plasma waves, we pursue physical principles of plasma particle acceleration, and plasma maintenance by spontaneous current. In 1-3, we investigate plasma rotation, in particular, the drive mechanism, the reversal phenomena, and the relaxation process. In 1-4, the topic is about a plasma reaction with electromagnetic and electrostatic waves that are excited by the newly developed antenna. Development of microwave diagnostics for plasma research is also proposed. Plasma is characterized as a nonlinear material. Therefore, in 1-5, our group needs to develop new methods for plasma control and their applications. Other than these topics, new ideas will also be welcomed.
2 ) Collaborative research on fusion material
There are many correlated branches of study between fusion plasma and fusion and fission material. It has become increasingly important to study the plasma materials’ interactions and develop plasma facing materials which are strongly resistant to plasma, as produced plasma tends to resemble core plasma in fusion reactors. Since TRIAM-1M is the only machine in the world able to discharge in steady state for longer than 5 hours, it has provided many fruitful results in plasma state material interactions.
In the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, related divisions have already started research into fusion reactor materials, and the initiation of the Advanced Fusion Research Center has greatly accelerated research in this field. Furthermore, studies into plasma material interactions were started in QUEST in 2001. Expected collaboration is listed as follows.
In the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, related divisions have already started research into fusion reactor materials, and the initiation of the Advanced Fusion Research Center has greatly accelerated research in this field. Furthermore, studies into plasma material interactions were started in QUEST in 2001. Expected collaboration is listed as follows.
- 2-1 ) Study of PWI in QUEST
- 2-2 ) Study of the Elementary Process of PWI using Simulation Experiments
- 2-3 ) Development of Plasma Facing Components
- 2-4 ) Radiation Damage to Fusion and Fission Related Materials
3 ) Collaborative research on plasma turbulence
Research on plasma turbulence at RIAM aims at elucidating the dynamics of turbulent transport phenomena in inhomogeneous magnetized plasmas and at formulating the physical processes of non-local transport phenomena.
We adopt, in particular, the methodology of e-Science, or integrating the major methodologies of science, i.e., theory, simulation and experiment, to accomplish the scientific purposes of the project. The following study subjects are envisioned to further develop this method. Other new proposals are also welcomed.
3-1 ) Structural Formation and Selection Rules in Turbulent Plasma
- Statistical theory for multi-scale turbulence
- Transition theory for multi-scale turbulence
- Phase-space turbulence theory
- Development of TDS (Turbulence Diagnostic Simulator)
- Turbulence simulation study by NLD (Numerical Linear Device)
- Numerical Diagnostic of Turbulence Simulation Data and its Comparison with Experiments and Theories
- Observation of turbulence dynamics in PANTA
- Development of advanced turbulence diagnostics in PANTA
3-2 ) Integrated simulation study of burning plasma
- Theory and simulation study of multi-scale extended MHD model
- Theory and simulation study of multi-scale plasma turbulence
- Multi-scale edge plasma modeling
- Integrated multi-scale simulation on the transport, heating and current drive
- Modeling of the integrated code and development of the scheme of parallel computing
( 3 ) Early Career Joint Research
Joint research related to the research content indicated in "(2) International Joint Research" section is welcome. On an application, please contact with your RIAM advisor in advance.
No Early Career Joint Research is offered by Nuclear Fusion Dynamics Division in 2024.
( 4 ) Standard Joint Research
Joint research related to the research content indicated in “(2) International Joint Research” section is welcome.
( 5 ) Research Workshop
Proposals for Research Workshops are welcome on the dynamics of Nuclear Fusion. Also challenging and interesting subjects are welcome in expectation of future developments in the dynamics of Nuclear Fusion. Proposals for research workshops in this category are listed as follows,
- Workshop on toroidal plasma
- Workshop on nuclear fusion materials
- Workshop on theory of nuclear fusion and related plasmas
- Workshop on nuclear fusion and related plasmas with a broader perspective
- Round tables on challenging, evolving, and related subjects