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How to avoid a disaster in fusion reactors?
The researchers used Alfven waves to reduce the impact of uncontrolled electrons in tokamak installations, which is of great importance for future projects in the field of thermonuclear energy, including ITER in France.
A team of scientists led by Chang Liu of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has presented a new approach to reducing the impact of harmful unmanaged electrons generated by disturbances in tokamaks. The basis of this approach was the use of a special type of plasma wave, named after the astrophysicist Hannes Alfven, winner of the 1970 Nobel Prize.
For a long time, it was believed that Alfven waves weaken the retention of high-energy particles in tokamaks, reducing their efficiency. However, new research has shown that in the case of uncontrolled electrons, these waves can prevent them from turning into "avalanches" that damage tokamak components. The whole process, as it turned out, has a circular nature: uncontrolled electrons cause instabilities that generate Alfven waves, which in turn prevent the formation of "avalanches".
These discoveries, Liu noted, provide insights into direct observation of Alfven waves in experiments. The researchers deduced the theory of this circular relationship, and the results coincided with experiments at the National DIII-D Fusion Facility operated by General Atomics.
Felix Parra Diaz, head of the theory department at PPPL, emphasized that Chang Liu's research could lead to tokamaks that naturally reduce damage from unmanageable electrons due to internal instabilities.
Thermonuclear reactions combine light elements in the form of plasma, releasing huge amounts of energy similar to the sun and stars. Reducing the risk of disturbances and exposure to uncontrolled electrons can be a crucial advantage for tokamaks.
The new approach could be a key step in the development of fusion power plants and is of great importance for ITER, an international tokamak under construction in France.
"Our findings provide the basis for developing new strategies to reduce the impact of uncontrolled electrons," Liu said. There are plans to conduct experimental studies to further develop the results obtained.
The researchers used Alfven waves to reduce the impact of uncontrolled electrons in tokamak installations, which is of great importance for future projects in the field of thermonuclear energy, including ITER in France.
A team of scientists led by Chang Liu of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has presented a new approach to reducing the impact of harmful unmanaged electrons generated by disturbances in tokamaks. The basis of this approach was the use of a special type of plasma wave, named after the astrophysicist Hannes Alfven, winner of the 1970 Nobel Prize.
For a long time, it was believed that Alfven waves weaken the retention of high-energy particles in tokamaks, reducing their efficiency. However, new research has shown that in the case of uncontrolled electrons, these waves can prevent them from turning into "avalanches" that damage tokamak components. The whole process, as it turned out, has a circular nature: uncontrolled electrons cause instabilities that generate Alfven waves, which in turn prevent the formation of "avalanches".
These discoveries, Liu noted, provide insights into direct observation of Alfven waves in experiments. The researchers deduced the theory of this circular relationship, and the results coincided with experiments at the National DIII-D Fusion Facility operated by General Atomics.
Felix Parra Diaz, head of the theory department at PPPL, emphasized that Chang Liu's research could lead to tokamaks that naturally reduce damage from unmanageable electrons due to internal instabilities.
Thermonuclear reactions combine light elements in the form of plasma, releasing huge amounts of energy similar to the sun and stars. Reducing the risk of disturbances and exposure to uncontrolled electrons can be a crucial advantage for tokamaks.
The new approach could be a key step in the development of fusion power plants and is of great importance for ITER, an international tokamak under construction in France.
"Our findings provide the basis for developing new strategies to reduce the impact of uncontrolled electrons," Liu said. There are plans to conduct experimental studies to further develop the results obtained.
