UK Fusion Programme 2008-2010
Lead Research Organisation:
CCFE/UKAEA
Department Name: Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Abstract
Fusion is the main energy source of the universe; it is the process that powers the sun and the stars. If it can be harnessed economically on earth, it has the potential to be an important component of the portfolio of measures needed to ensure a secure, environmentally responsible, supply of energy, at a time when fossil fuels will be becoming increasingly expensive. There is increasing realisation of this potential as reflected by the launch of the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, being built in France, which will be the first fusion device to achieve energy gain and sustained burn.In a fusion reaction, large amounts of energy are released when the nuclei of two light atoms fuse together at extremely high temperatures to create a nucleus of a larger atom. In the most promising way to achieve these conditions on earth, strong magnetic fields in a tokamak configuration are used to control and confine the high temperature plasma.UKAEA's Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire is one of the world's leading fusion research centres, and 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. International co-operation is strong with the focus on the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER). EURATOM part-funds all national programmes in Europe including the UK's.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, utilising parallel- and super-computing facilities, supports the experimental programmes and contributes to the research and development of fusion materials and to studies of conceptual fusion power stations. The UK leads the research and development of two ITER specialist (diagnostic and heating) systems, and participates in several others 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 technology are pursued strongly, where the research overlaps with fusion R&D, and increasingly there are fusion researchers in universities with whom UKAEA works.The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the European Commission fund, provide advice and monitor the UK fusion programme (some of the European funding / for work on ITER systems - is now channelled through the new Fusion for Energy Agency in Barcelona). The Fusion Advisory Board (FAB) advises EPSRC and UKAEA on the programme and on the longer-term strategy for fusion research at Culham; FAB receives reports from the MAST Programme Advisory Committee, a sub-group on ITER and industry, and an annual UK Fusion Materials Forum.
Organisations
Publications
McDonald D
(2008)
JET confinement studies and their scaling to high ß N , ITER scenarios
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Dewhurst J
(2008)
Statistical properties of edge plasma turbulence in the Large Helical Device
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Appel L
(2008)
Compressional Alfvén Eigenmodes on MAST
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Dewhurst J
(2010)
Finite Larmor radius effects on test particle transport in drift wave-zonal flow turbulence
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Chankin A
(2009)
Fluid code simulations of radial electric field in the scrape-off layer of JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Kirov K
(2009)
Effects of ICRF induced density modifications on LH wave coupling at JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Wilson H
(2009)
The influence of magnetic islands on drift mode stability in magnetized plasma
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Roach C
(2009)
Gyrokinetic simulations of spherical tokamaks
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Baranov Y
(2009)
Anomalous and classical neutral beam fast ion diffusion on JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Eriksson L
(2009)
Toroidal rotation in RF heated JET plasmas
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Beurskens M
(2009)
Pedestal width and ELM size identity studies in JET and DIII-D; implications for ITER
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Hua M
(2010)
Comparison of MHD-induced rotation damping with NTV predictions on MAST
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Silva C
(2009)
Reciprocating probe measurements of ELM filaments on JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Poli F
(2008)
Study of the spectral properties of ELM precursors by means of wavelets
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Brooks N
(2009)
Benchmarking of alternate theories for Stark broadening against experimental data from DIII-D diagnostics
in Plasma Physics Reports
Fernandes H
(2009)
The International Joint Experiment ISTTOK
in Plasma Physics Reports
Ribeiro C
(2008)
Evidence of cold bubble-like structure in START density limit plasmas
in Plasma Physics Reports
Crowley B
(2009)
A Langmuir probe system incorporating the Boyd-Twiddy method for EEDF measurement applied to an inductively coupled plasma source
in Plasma Sources Science and Technology
Fitzgerald S
(2008)
Dislocation pile-ups in Fe at high temperature
in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Zastrow K
(2008)
Modeling the effect of reflection from metallic walls on spectroscopic measurements
in Review of Scientific Instruments
Tojo H
(2008)
Poloidal mode analysis of magnetic probe data in a spherical tokamak configuration
in Review of Scientific Instruments
El-Atwani O
(2019)
Outstanding radiation resistance of tungsten-based high-entropy alloys.
in Science advances
Connolley T
(2013)
Bonding of single crystal silicon to Cu and AlN: trial results
in Science and Technology of Welding and Joining
Marot L
(2008)
Characterization of sub-stoichiometric rhodium oxide deposited by magnetron sputtering
in Surface Science
Nicol R
(2009)
QUANTIFYING THE ANISOTROPY AND SOLAR CYCLE DEPENDENCE OF "1/ f " SOLAR WIND FLUCTUATIONS OBSERVED BY ADVANCED COMPOSITION EXPLORER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nicol R
(2008)
The Signature of Evolving Turbulence in Quiet Solar Wind as Seen by Ulysses
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wicks R
(2009)
SPATIAL CORRELATION OF SOLAR WIND FLUCTUATIONS AND THEIR SOLAR CYCLE DEPENDENCE
in The Astrophysical Journal
McClements K
(2009)
INERTIAL ALFVÉN WAVE ACCELERATION OF SOLAR FLARE ELECTRONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Schekochihin A
(2009)
ASTROPHYSICAL GYROKINETICS: KINETIC AND FLUID TURBULENT CASCADES IN MAGNETIZED WEAKLY COLLISIONAL PLASMAS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Llewellyn Smith C
(2009)
The path to fusion power
in The European Physical Journal Special Topics
Beurskens MN
(2008)
ITER LIDAR performance analysis.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Rattá GA
(2008)
Feature extraction for improved disruption prediction analysis at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Bonheure G
(2008)
In-vessel activation monitors in JET: progress in modeling.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Giacomelli L
(2008)
Neutron emission spectroscopy results for internal transport barrier and mode conversion ion cyclotron resonance heating experiments at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Brix M
(2008)
Accuracy of EFIT equilibrium reconstruction with internal diagnostic information at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Ford O
(2008)
Forward modeling of JET polarimetry diagnostic.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Kovari M
(2008)
Thermographic measurement of the emittance plot of a single positive ion beamlet.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Scannell R
(2008)
Design of a new Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system for MAST.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Tardocchi M
(2008)
Gamma ray spectroscopy at high energy and high time resolution at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Kempenaars M
(2008)
Enhancement of the JET edge LIDAR Thomson scattering diagnostic with ultrafast detectors.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Hellesen C
(2008)
Validating TRANSP simulations using neutron emission spectroscopy with dual sight lines.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Coelho R
(2009)
Real-time data processing and magnetic field pitch angle estimation of the JET motional Stark effect diagnostic based on Kalman filtering.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Iraji D
(2008)
Fast visible imaging of turbulent plasma in TORPEX.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Biewer TM
(2008)
A proposed in-vessel calibration light source for the Joint European Torus.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Giroud C
(2008)
Impact of calibration technique on measurement accuracy for the JET core charge-exchange system.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Sjöstrand H
(2009)
Gain stabilization control system of the upgraded magnetic proton recoil neutron spectrometer at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Field AR
(2009)
Beam emission spectroscopy for density turbulence measurements on the MAST spherical tokamak.
in The Review of scientific instruments
De Bock MF
(2008)
Ab initio modeling of the motional Stark effect on MAST.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Brombin M
(2009)
Systematic comparison between line integrated densities measured with interferometry and polarimetry at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Cunningham G
(2008)
Use of the absolute phase in frequency modulated continuous wave plasma reflectometry.
in The Review of scientific instruments
| Description | Fusion research is focused on ITER (the international experiment being built in France) followed by a demonstration power station (DEMO). The Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) is a world-leading fusion research centre. Some highlights from the last two years are summarised below (many the result of collaborations with universities and overseas laboratories). Additional information is in Annual Reports (http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/annual_reports.aspx). Reacting plasmas: The UK programme, funded by EPSRC and EURATOM, is focused on the MAST experiment. Physics studies benefited from high power heating systems and improvements to diagnostics. A major upgrade to the system to measure temperature and density profiles (part funded by York University) was completed and provides unmatched spatial resolution. Important progress from both MAST, and the linked Theory and Modelling programme, has been made in several key areas directly relevant to optimising ITER performance:- energy confinement, enabling more reliable prediction of plasma performance in future devices; control of potentially damaging instabilities; improved understanding of performance limiting core and edge plasma instabilities; gas injection to mitigate the effects of rapid plasma terminations (disruptions), etc. CCFE has contributed to the European JET programme, with notable achievements including operation at high power and current, and substantial progress in scenarios that are suitable for steady state operation in ITER. The EPSRC grant pays the UK contribution to JET operation. Materials: Work included: development of techniques for modelling iron-chromium alloys in the high-temperature limit; modelling of steels and tungsten to compare with experimental data from Oxford University; Ion Beam Analysis measurements of erosion, deposition and hydrogen-isotope retention in tiles removed from the JET tokamak. ITER Systems: CCFE has secured lead roles in two major grants to develop ITER heating systems, and leads a consortium to bid for the LIDAR temperature and density measurement system. CCFE has smaller roles in several other areas. Optimised power plants: Work has concentrated on a detailed assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of pulsed and steady-state DEMOs. Several clear advantages in a steady-state device were identified, however the potential simplification in a pulsed device (greatly reduced need for current drive) is a significant counter-advantage. Conceptual design studies of a spherical tokamak Component Test Facility have continued. A big challenge for any fusion system is dealing with the large exhaust power from burning plasmas. One novel promising option, for both DEMO and CTF, which will be part of the MAST upgrade, is the "Super-X" expanded divertor. Major upgrade to MAST: the design has been developed. The purpose is to give higher performance, longer pulse plasmas allowing definitive tests of the physics of an ST-based CTF, and more exacting studies of ITER physics. In late 2009, RCUK reviewed UK fusion research and following this EPSRC approved funding for the upgrade. In addition CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion and significantly assisted UK companies in winning ITER business, increased university involvement (e.g. PhDs), and developed its skills-base for an increased emphasis on technology as recommended by the RCUK review. |
| Exploitation Route | In addition CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion and significantly assisted UK companies in winning ITER business, increased university involvement (e.g. PhDs), and developed its skills-base for an increased emphasis on technology as recommended by the RCUK review. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| URL | http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/annual_reports.aspx |
| Description | As well as its long term task, developing fusion power, CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Economic |