UK Fusion Programme

Lead Research Organisation: CCFE/UKAEA
Department Name: Culham Centre for Fusion Energy

Abstract

Fusion is the energy-releasing process that powers the sun and other stars. If it can be harnessed economically on earth it would be an essentially limitless source of safe, environmentally responsible energy. Fusion energy is therefore strongly mission-orientated. The most promising method uses strong magnetic fields in a tokamak configuration to allow a high temperature deuterium-tritium plasma to be generated while minimising contact with the surrounding material surfaces.The UK contributes to fusion research in two ways: (i) through the UK's own programme focused on the spherical tokamak experiment MAST, and (ii) by contributing to the Joint European Torus (JET) programme. The MAST and JET facilities are situated at Culham Science Centre. International co-operation is strong with the focus on the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER), which will be the first fusion device to achieve energy gain and sustained burn.Experimental programmes on the MAST and JET tokamaks are performed to help resolve and refine understanding of key physics issues for ITER. In addition, experimental programmes on MAST focus on testing the potential of the spherical tokamak as a more compact option for future fusion devices. A strong theory and modelling group supports the experimental programmes and contributes to the research and development of fusion materials and to studies of conceptual fusion power stations. Expansion of the research and development of ITER specialist (i.e. diagnostic and heating) systems, focuses on securing major roles for the UK in the provision of two or three of these large complex projects.The results of the research are presented in reports and publications, and at conferences, expert groups and specialist committees. Collaborations with researchers in other areas of science and technologies are pursued strongly, where the research overlaps with fusion R&D.

Publications

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Forrest R (2006) Data requirements for neutron activation in Fusion Engineering and Design

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Kuldkepp M (2006) Motional Stark effect diagnostic pilot experiment for MAST in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Chapman S (2006) Perpendicular Shock Reformation and Ion Acceleration in Space Science Reviews

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Dudarev SL (2006) Angular-dependent matrix potentials for fast molecular-dynamics simulations of transition metals. in Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal

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Gryaznevich M (2006) Perturbative and non-perturbative modes in START and MAST in Nuclear Fusion

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Murari A (2006) New diagnostic techniques and technologies at JET (invited) in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Forrest R (2006) Data requirements for neutron activation in Fusion Engineering and Design

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Von Hellermann M (2006) Status of the DNB based ITER CXRS and BES diagnostic in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Garcia O (2006) Radial interchange motions of plasma filaments in Physics of Plasmas

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Dudarev S (2007) Driven mobility of self-interstitial defects under electron irradiation in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

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Saarelma S (2007) MHD stability analysis of ELMs in MAST in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Lönnroth J (2007) Effects of ripple-induced ion thermal transport on H-mode plasma performance in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Pitts R (2007) ELM transport in the JET scrape-off layer in Nuclear Fusion

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Matthews G (2007) Overview of the ITER-like wall project in Physica Scripta

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Forrest R (2007) Statistical analysis of cross sections-A new tool for data validation in Fusion Engineering and Design

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Kirk A (2007) Evolution of the pedestal on MAST and the implications for ELM power loadings in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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DERLET P (2007) Million-atom molecular dynamics simulations of magnetic iron in Progress in Materials Science

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Dnestrovskij Y (2007) Analysis of pressure profiles and transport simulations of MAST discharges in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Meyer H (2008) Active control of the H-mode transition on MAST in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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De Vries P (2008) Effect of toroidal field ripple on plasma rotation in JET in Nuclear Fusion

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Meyer H (2009) Overview of physics results from MAST in Nuclear Fusion

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Llewellyn Smith C (2009) The path to fusion power in The European Physical Journal Special Topics