 |
| DIII-D
Tokamak at General Atomic |
Plasma science (the study of ionized
gases) is critical to the development
of fusion energy (involving the fusion
of nuclei), which could be an abundant
energy source in the future. To produce
practical amounts of fusion power,
plasmas need to be confined at high
pressure in a stable condition. Research
supported by the Office of Science
led to the development and verification
of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability
theory, which predicts plasma instabilities
that limit the stable operating range
of devices that confine plasmas using
magnetic fields. MHD instabilities
can affect magnetic field configurations
and cause rapid losses of plasma energy
and particles. Using large computer
codes, fusion scientists developed
MHD stability theory to the point
where it can determine plasma stability
limits in complex magnetic configurations.
Experiments to verify the quantitative
predictions spanned two decades because
they required the development of new
techniques to form and control complex
plasma shapes, high-power heating
sources to increase plasma pressure,
and novel diagnostics for measuring
the spatial distributions of plasma
pressure and current. Staff at General
Atomics, a DOE contractor, received
the American Physical Society Award
for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research
in 1994 for verifying the predicted
stability limits of high-pressure
plasmas.
Scientific Impact:
This work established a solid theoretical
foundation for evaluating the stable
operating potential of attractive
plasma confinement devices, such as
tokamaks. Such advances often prove
useful in other fields of research
that use plasma science and technology,
from solar and magnetospheric physics
to materials science.
Social Impact: This
work will help promote the availability
of fusion as an inexhaustible, safe,
and environmentally attractive energy
source. In addition to the general
public, beneficiaries may include
industries that use plasma science
and technology, including makers of
semiconductors and space propulsion
systems.
"Reference: Higher
Beta at Higher Elongation in the DIII-D
Tokamak," E. A. Lazarus, M. S. Chu,
J. R. Ferron, F. J. Helton, Rev.
Mod. Phys. 59, 175 (1987)
"An Optimization of Beta in the DIII-D
Tokamak," E. A. Lazarus, L. L. Lao,
T. H. Osborne, T. S. Taylor, Phys.
Fluids B 4, 3644 (1992)
URL:
http://fusion.gat.com/diii-d/
Technical Contact:
Erol Oktay, Research Division, 301-903-4928
Press Contact: Jeff
Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs,
202-586-5806
SC-Funding Office:
Office of Fusion Energy Sciences |
