Read more
This book reviews recent progress in our understanding of tokamak physics related to steady state operation, and addresses the scientific feasibility of a steady state tokamak fusion power system. It covers the physical principles behind continuous tokamak operation and details the challenges remaining and new lines of research towards the realization of such a system. Following a short introduction to tokamak physics and the fundamentals of steady state operation, later chapters cover parallel and perpendicular transport in tokamaks, MHD instabilities in advanced tokamak regimes, control issues, and SOL and divertor plasmas. A final chapter reviews key enabling technologies for steady state reactors, including negative ion source and NBI systems, Gyrotron and ECRF systems, superconductor and magnet systems, and structural materials for reactors.
The tokamak has demonstrated an excellent plasma confinement capability with its symmetry, but has an intrinsic drawback with its pulsed operation with inductive operation. Efforts have been made over the last 20 years to realize steady state operation, most promisingly utilizing bootstrap current.
Frontiers in Fusion Research II: Introduction to Modern Tokamak Physics will be of interest to graduate students and researchers involved in all aspects of tokamak science and technology.
List of contents
Steady State Tokamak Reactor.- Plasma Equilibrium in Tokamak.- Advanced Tokamak Regime.- Collisional Transport in Tokamak.- Low Frequency Collective Motions in Tokamak.- Plasma Confinement in Tokamak.- Turbulent Transport in Tokamak.- MHD Stability.- Technology Developments for Fusion Power.- A: Mathematical Basics.- B: Elementary Physics.- C: Elementary Plasmas Physics.
About the author
Mitsuru Kikuchi took his PhD at University of Tokyo in 1981 and has been working at JAEA on magnetic confinement fusion, especially on tokamak systems. He worked for 23 years in Japanese large tokamak JT-60m was director of JT-60 for the last two years and explored steady state operation of tokamaks. He has also worked in reactor design and strategic planning of fusion development. He is currently chairman of the board of editors of the Nuclear Fusion Journal, visiting professor at Kyushu University and guest professor at Osaka University.
Summary
This book reviews recent progress in our understanding of tokamak physics related to steady state operation, and addresses the scientific feasibility of a steady state tokamak fusion power system. It covers the physical principles behind continuous tokamak operation and details the challenges remaining and new lines of research towards the realization of such a system. Following a short introduction to tokamak physics and the fundamentals of steady state operation, later chapters cover parallel and perpendicular transport in tokamaks, MHD instabilities in advanced tokamak regimes, control issues, and SOL and divertor plasmas. A final chapter reviews key enabling technologies for steady state reactors, including negative ion source and NBI systems, Gyrotron and ECRF systems, superconductor and magnet systems, and structural materials for reactors.
The tokamak has demonstrated an excellent plasma confinement capability with its symmetry, but has an intrinsic drawback with its pulsed operation with inductive operation. Efforts have been made over the last 20 years to realize steady state operation, most promisingly utilizing bootstrap current.
Frontiers in Fusion Research II: Introduction to Modern Tokamak Physics will be of interest to graduate students and researchers involved in all aspects of tokamak science and technology.
