A5002273063- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Superconducting Materials and Applications
- Fusion materials and technologies
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Fluid Dynamics and Turbulent Flows
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
- Seismic Waves and Analysis
- Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube
- Power System Optimization and Stability
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Material Science and Thermodynamics
- Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory
- Geophysics and Sensor Technology
Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
2020-2024
Culham Science Centre
2020-2024
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
2020-2024
University of Cambridge
2016-2018
University of Manchester
1951-1952
Abstract In 2021 JET exploited its unique capabilities to operate with T and D–T fuel an ITER-like Be/W wall (JET-ILW). This second major campaign (DTE2), after DTE1 in 1997, represented the culmination of a series enhancements—new fusion diagnostics, new injection capabilities, refurbishment plant, increased auxiliary heating, in-vessel calibration 14 MeV neutron yield monitors—as well as significant advances plasma theory modelling community. DTE2 was complemented by sequence isotope...
Success of the UK’s Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme requires a robust plasma control system. This system has to guide from initiation burning phase, maintain it there, produce desired fusion power duration and then terminate safely. be done in challenging environment with limited sensors without overloading plasma-facing components. The parameters operational regime STEP prototype will very different tokamaks, which are presently operation. During burn,...
Summary Schlieren photographs have been taken to show the reflection of oblique shock-waves different strengths at turbulent boundary-layer on wall a supersonic wind-tunnel. A weak shock-wave is reflected as compression followed by an expansion; this in agreement with Lighthill's theory which replaced non-turbulent inviscid layer same velocity distribution boundary-layer. For stronger incident wave moves upstream one point where starts thicken. Thus and cross outside Near meets...
Abstract In 2019 the UK launched Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme to design and build a prototype electricity producing nuclear fusion power plant, aiming start operation around 2040. The plant should lay foundation development of commercial plants. is based on spherical tokamak principle, which opens route high pressure, steady state, operation. While facilitating state operation, introduces some specific plasma control challenges: (i) All current during burn phase...
In this paper we present optimized actuator trajectories, evolving in time and space, of non-inductive ramp-up scenarios for the Spherical Tokamak Energy Production (STEP). These trajectories are computed by solving a non-linear, multi-objective, constrained, finite-time optimal control problem. A method unique to STEP studies that provides an alternative existing trajectory search strategies which rely on manually adjusting reach desired state. To navigate non-linear parameter space is...
Abstract Within the 9th European Framework programme, since 2021 EUROfusion is operating five tokamaks under auspices of a single Task Force called ‘Tokamak Exploitation’. The goal to benefit from complementary capabilities each machine in coordinated way and help developing scientific output scalable future largre machines. programme this ensures that ASDEX Upgrade, MAST-U, TCV, WEST JET (since 2022) work together achieve objectives Missions 1 2 Roadmap: i) demonstrate plasma scenarios...
We consider a rapidly rotating, Boussinesq fluid stirred by buoyant anomalies. In such system it is known that, in the absence of magnetic field, inertial waves whose wave vectors lie normal to rotation axis play key role establishing quasi-geostrophic motion. particular, anomalies radiate low-frequency packets which disperse along axis, leading axially elongated columnar vortices. Here we focus on influence an ambient field this process, motivated dynamics planetary cores. find once again,...
Abstract The DIII-D tokamak has elucidated crucial physics and developed projectable solutions for ITER fusion power plants in the key areas of core performance, boundary heat particle transport, integrated scenario operation, with closing core-edge integration knowledge gap being overarching mission. New experimental validation high-fidelity, multi-channel, non-linear gyrokinetic turbulent transport models provides strong confidence it will achieve Q ⩾ 10 operation. Experiments identify...
We consider the dispersion of waves in a rapidly rotating, Boussinesq fluid which is threaded by magnetic field and stirred slowly gravitating buoyant blobs. Motivated dynamics core Earth, we focus on evolution inertial-Alfvén wave packets radiated from anomalies. These resemble conventional low-frequency inertial waves, sense that energy disperses fast timescale background rotation rate, though they also exhibit slower Alfvén-like propagation along lines. When uniform, automatically...
Summary Schlieren photographs have been taken to show the supersonic flow past a sharp wedge placed at an incidence large enough give expansion region on one side. In addition phenomena predicted by inviscid theory, weak shock wave immediately upstream of region. Various possible explanations this are considered and it is shown that caused slight bluntness leading edge, although thickness edge only about 8 μ. It cannot be explained considering growth boundary layer, neither there any...
A novel theory for the origin of westward drift Earth’s magnetic field is proposed, based upon propagation hydrodynamic Rossby waves in liquid outer core. These have obscure property that their crests always progress eastwards—but, a certain subset, energy can nevertheless be transmitted westwards. In fact, this subset corresponds to sheet-like flow structures, extended both axial and radial directions, which are likely preferentially excited by convective upwellings rapidly rotating To...
Reduced activation ferritic steels are an attractive option for use in large structural components surrounding tokamak plasmas future fusion power plants, but their ferromagnetic response to the confining magnetic fields must be properly understood. Simultaneously, advantages of operating at high plasma elongation push designs toward scenarios that more vulnerable vertical displacement events. Passive conducting structures present tokamaks slow these instabilities such they may feedback...
Summary Schlieren photographs have been taken to show the supersonic flow past a two-dimensional wedge placed at an incidence large enough give expansion region on one side. The leading edge was blunt in all cases, and its thickness t varied between 35 200 microns. For values of greater than about 80 microns showed weak shock wave downstream side region. A this position indicates that there is separation boundary layer near edge, followed by re-attachment. Reynolds number 1·3×105 per cm,...
Abstract Power exhaust is a critical challenge for spherical tokamak reactors, making the design, optimisation and control of advanced divertor configurations crucial. These tasks are greatly simplified if poloidal magnetic fields in core regions can be varied independently. We present novel method which facilitates decoupling plasma equilibrium from geometry control, using vacuum harmonic (SH) constraints. This has advantage that it avoids iterative solution Grad–Shafranov equation, easy to...