A5006613660- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Superconducting Materials and Applications
- Fusion materials and technologies
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Nuclear reactor physics and engineering
- Nuclear Materials and Properties
- Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Superconductivity in MgB2 and Alloys
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- HVDC Systems and Fault Protection
- Muon and positron interactions and applications
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies
- Semiconductor materials and devices
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Cold Fusion and Nuclear Reactions
- Non-Destructive Testing Techniques
- Frequency Control in Power Systems
- Advanced Data Storage Technologies
- Copper Interconnects and Reliability
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2012-2025
Plasma Technology (United States)
2014-2025
Fusion (United States)
2012-2025
Fusion Academy
2012-2025
Polytechnic University of Turin
2024
Boston University
2011-2013
IIT@MIT
2011
Abstract High-temperature superconductors (HTS) promise to revolutionize high-power applications like wind generators, DC power cables, particle accelerators, and fusion energy devices. A practical HTS cable must not degrade under severe mechanical, electrical, thermal conditions; have simple, low-resistance, manufacturable electrical joints; high stability; rapid detection of runaway quench events. We designed experimentally qualified a vacuum pressure impregnated, insulated, partially...
Abstract The SPARC tokamak project, currently in engineering design, aims to achieve breakeven and burning plasma conditions a compact device, thanks new developments high-temperature superconductor technology. With magnetic field of 12.2 T on axis 8.7 MA current, is predicted produce 140 MW fusion power with gain Q ≈ 11, providing ample margin respect its mission > 2. All systems are being designed this landmark discharge, thus enabling the study physics operations reactor relevant pave...
The SPARC Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) Program was a three-year effort between 2018 and 2021 that developed novel Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) superconductor technologies then successfully utilized these to design, build, test first-in-class, high-field (∼20 T), representative-scale (∼3 m) superconducting toroidal field (TF) coil. program executed jointly by the MIT Plasma Science Fusion Center (PSFC) Commonwealth Systems (CFS) as technology enabler of pathway fusion energy,...
The SPARC Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) is the first large-scale (∼3 m), high-field (∼20 T) superconducting fusion magnet based on Rare Earth Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO). Its objective was to retire risk for toroidal field in tokamak, a burning plasma class magnetic confinement energy device. Weighing 10,058 kg and utilizing 270 km of REBCO, TFMC non-insulated, stack-in-plate style magnet. It has three main components: (1) winding pack; (2) structural case; (3) case extensions, or...
The object of this review is to summarize the achievements research on Alcator C-Mod tokamak [Hutchinson et al., Phys. Plasmas 1, 1511 (1994) and Marmar, Fusion Sci. Technol. 51, 261 (2007)] place that in context quest for practical fusion energy. a compact, high-field tokamak, whose unique design operating parameters have produced wealth new important results since it began operation 1993, contributing data extends tests critical physical models into parameter ranges regimes. Using only...
Abstract Fiber-optic thermometry has the potential to provide rapid and reliable quench detection for emerging large-scale, high-field superconducting magnets fabricated with high-temperature-superconductor (HTS) cables. Developing non-voltage-based schemes, such as fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology, are particularly important applications magnetic fusion devices where a high degree of induced electromagnetic noise impose significant challenges on traditional voltage-based methods. To...
The SPARC Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) experimental tests are described. include detailed comparisons to a hierarchy of electromagnetic and structural models the coil. confirmed ability no-insulation no-twist (NINT) configuration provide highly stable DC operations with peak magnetic field in excess 20 tesla at REBCO tape stacks. advantages modular TFMC approach were validated including test probe response coil stages; strategy that will be applied large-scale production for SPARC....
A new superconducting magnet test facility was created at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) for SPARC Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) program. The designed constructed in parallel with TFMC between 2019 2021, capabilities design approaches tailored to needs of this project its timeline. major components include a cryostat (outer dimensions, 5.3 m×3.7 m×1.5 m) open bore; novel cooling system circulating supercritical helium closed-loop provide ∼600 W power ∼20 bar-a, K; 50 kA,...
This paper presents design, fabrication, and operational results for a novel pair of binary Current Leads (CLs). The CLs were purpose built the SPARC Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) Test Facility at MIT Plasma Science Fusion Center. approximately 3 m tall demonstrate stable operation current ramp rates up to 50 kA/s steady-state currents kA from ambient temperature power supplies facility's 20 K test environment. Each CL can be divided into three main parts: an upper copper heat exchanger...
We report a measurement of the positive muon lifetime to precision 1.0 ppm; it is most precise particle ever measured. The experiment used time-structured, low-energy beam and segmented plastic scintillator array record more than 2×1012 decays. Two different stopping target configurations were employed in independent data-taking periods. combined results give τμ+(MuLan)=2 196 980.3(2.2) ps, 15 times as any previous experiment. gives value for Fermi constant: GF(MuLan)=1.166 378 8(7)×10−5...
We present a detailed report of the method, setup, analysis and results precision measurement positive muon lifetime. The experiment was conducted at Paul Scherrer Institute using time-structured, nearly 100%-polarized, surface beam segmented, fast-timing, plastic scintillator array. employed two target arrangements; magnetized ferromagnetic with ~4 kG internal magnetic field crystal quartz in 130 G external field. Approximately 1.6 x 10^{12} positrons were accumulated together data yield...
Abstract The benefits of operating fusion devices, such as tokamaks and stellarators, at high fields make high-temperature superconducting magnets necessary to realize a compact power system. Superconducting W7-X, have used standard low-temperature superconductor technology niobium-titanium. ARPA-E has recently funded two-year project led by the startup Type One Energy involving Fusion Technology Institute University Wisconsin-Madison, Plasma Science design fabricate first non-planar (HTS)...
The SPARC tokamak will be equipped with a hard X-ray (HXR) monitor system capable of measuring the bremsstrahlung emission from runaway electrons photon energies in excess about 100 keV. This diagnostic detect formation electron beams during plasma start-up and inform control to terminate discharge early protect machine. In this work, we present 0D estimate HXR start-up. Then discuss characterization prototype monitor. detector mounts 1 × 1-in.2 LaBr3 inorganic scintillator coupled...
The development of high temperature superconducting tape technology enabled the design compact fusion reactors, allowing faster in field. reduced size makes even more important evaluation neutron flux on all components and at every region, including magnet position, to assess lifetime materials their performances during operations. Compactness, however, introduces new technological challenges, considering space available for shielding consequently harsher radiation environment both...
Fusion and advanced fission power plants require nuclear materials to function under new, extreme environments. Understanding the evolution of mechanical functional properties during radiation damage is essential design commercial deployment these systems. The shortcomings existing methods could be addressed by a new technique - intermediate energy proton irradiation (IEPI) using beams 10–30 MeV protons rapidly uniformly bulk material specimens before direct testing engineering properties....
From June 2019 to July 2021, the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center in collaboration with Commonwealth Fusions Systems (CFS) designed, built, commissioned a test facility at evaluate performance of REBCO-based, 2.9-m tall, 1.9-m wide Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) for SPARC tokamak. This paper presents facility's supercritical helium (SHe) circulation system design measured performance. The employed forced-flow SHe-circulation loop cooled by cryocoolers provide nominal cooling power 600...
Superconducting magnets based on Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxides (REBCO) offer transformative capabilities in the fields of fusion energy, high energy physics, and space exploration. A challenge shared by these applications is limited lifetime REBCO due to radiation damage sustained during operation. Here we present a new ion-beam facility that enables simultaneous cryogenic irradiation situ characterization commercial tapes. The ion source provides spatially uniform fluxes up 1018...
This paper presents a novel particle accelerator-based diagnostic that nondestructively measures the evolution of material surface compositions inside magnetic fusion devices. The diagnostic's purpose is to contribute an integrated understanding plasma-material interactions in fusion, which severely hindered by dearth situ diagnosis. aims remotely generate isotopic concentration maps on plasma shot-to-shot timescale cover large fraction plasma-facing device without need for vacuum breaks or...
Abstract We present the design and first results of an assembly that enables rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting cables—the VIPER cable in this work—to be tested SULTAN facility under simultaneous application transverse electromechanical loading axial mechanical strain. The objective is to emulate loads a REBCO would experience three-dimensional coil but shorter simpler straight cables, reducing cost, schedule, complexity high-fidelity conductor qualification. uses two...