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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Kirk A (2006) Filament structures at the plasma edge on 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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James M (2006) Tearing mode stability in a sheared slab model of the tokamak plasma in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Guirlet R (2006) Parametric dependences of impurity transport in tokamaks in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Christiansen J (2006) Self-consistent plasma modelling by Monte Carlo test particles in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Gimblett C (2006) The role of edge current-driven modes in ELM activity in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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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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De Vries P (2006) Plasma rotation and momentum transport studies at JET in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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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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Santala M (2006) Proton-triton nuclear reaction in ICRF heated plasmas in JET in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Kiptily V (2006) Gamma ray diagnostics of high temperature magnetically confined fusion plasmas in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Leonard A (2006) Survey of Type I ELM dynamics measurements in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Connor J (2006) Magnetic geometry, plasma profiles, and stability in Plasma Physics Reports

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

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Walsh M (2006) Design challenges and analysis of the ITER core LIDAR Thomson scattering system in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Darrow D (2006) Initial results from the lost alpha diagnostics on Joint European Torus in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Scannell R (2006) Enhanced edge Thomson scattering on MAST in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Gatu Johnson M (2006) The TOFOR neutron spectrometer and its first use at JET in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Sjöstrand H (2006) New MPRu instrument for neutron emission spectroscopy at JET in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Coccorese V (2006) Assessment of new ex-vessel magnetic measurements in JET in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Hacquin S (2006) X -mode reflectometry measurements in the JET plasma core region in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Boboc A (2006) Simultaneous Cotton-Mouton and Faraday rotation angle measurements on JET in Review of Scientific Instruments

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Conway N (2006) High-throughput charge exchange recombination spectroscopy system on MAST in Review of Scientific Instruments

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

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

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

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