• Energy Research

Integrating the plasma core performance with an edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) that leads to tolerable heat and particle loads on the wall is a major challenge. The new European medium size tokamak task force (EU-MST) coordinates research on ASDEX Upgrade (AUG), MAST and TCV. This multi-machine approach within EU-MST, covering a wide parameter range, is instrumental to progress in the field, as ITER and DEMO core/pedestal and SOL parameters are not achievable simultaneously in present day devices. A two prong approach is adopted. On the one hand, scenarios with tolerable transient heat and particle loads, including active edge localised mode (ELM) control are developed. On the other hand, divertor solutions including advanced magnetic configurations are studied. Considerable progress has been made on both approaches, in particular in the fields of: ELM control with resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP), small ELM regimes, detachment onset and control, as well as filamentary scrape-off-layer transport. For example full ELM suppression has now been achieved on AUG at low collisionality with n = 2 RMP maintaining good confinement HH(98, y2) 0.95. Advances have been made with respect to detachment onset and control. Studies in advanced divertor configurations (Snowflake, Super-X and X-point target divertor) shed new light on SOL physics. Cross field filamentary transport has been characterised in a wide parameter regime on AUG, MAST and TCV progressing the theoretical and experimental understanding crucial for predicting first wall loads in ITER and DEMO. Conditions in the SOL also play a crucial role for ELM stability and access to small ELM regimes.

In fusion devices strong interest is deserved to the edge filament transport both related to turbulent and ELMy structures, because they are believed to provide important interaction with the plasma facing components and divertor plates. Among their features also the electromagnetic (EM) properties are expected to play an important role and in particular for the high beta regimes expected in future devices. The presence of ELM and inter-ELM electromagnetic filaments were detected during H-mode discharges in COMPASS device Scrape-Off Layer, where a new probe head was recently developed and commissioned. The diagnostic allows the simultaneous measurements of electrostatic and magnetic fluctuations with high time resolution, suitable for the identification of EM features of filaments. The method allows in particular the direct measurement of the current density associated to filaments. Detailed electrostatic and electromagnetic features analysis revealed a complex and fragmented structure within a single ELM and strong peaks in parallel current density Jtor are observed to characterize the ELM bunch. Analogous EM structures are observed also in inter-ELM phase, but with more than one order of magnitude lower intensity and time scale.

The fuel operating ranges of fusion tokamak-based power plants are estimated using the improved engineering breakeven equation. The Lawson criterion equations are derived in the form of a triple product with a focus on engineering breakeven and the subbreakeven operating range. The relationship of fuel parameters to the power plant net efficiency is outlined. Analysis shows that the operating ranges of the suitable fuel parameters form a closed area, the size of which affects the net efficiency of the power plant.The obtained fuel operating ranges confirm the well-known fact that DT fuel is currently the only fusion fuel useable in tokamak-based fusion power plants. It is also shown that the energy utilization of pB fuel is possible in the subbreakeven operating range but is conditioned by the very high efficiency of the power plant equipment. For the utilization of DD, DHe3, and pB fuels, the required magnetic fields are indicatively estimated.