Alpha particles with energies on the order of megaelectronvolts will be the main source of plasma heating in future magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Instead of heating fuel ions, most of the energy of alpha particles is transferred to electrons in the plasma. Furthermore, alpha particles can also excite Alfvénic instabilities, which were previously considered to be detrimental to the performance of the fusion device. Here we report improved thermal ion confinement in the presence of megaelectronvolts ions and strong fast ion-driven Alfvénic instabilities in recent experiments on the Joint European Torus. Detailed transport analysis of these experiments reveals turbulence suppression through a complex multi-scale mechanism that generates large-scale zonal flows. This holds promise for more economical operation of fusion reactors with dominant alpha particle heating and ultimately cheaper fusion electricity.

Mazzi, S., Garcia, J., Zarzoso, D., Kazakov, Y.o., Ongena, J., Dreval, M., et al. (2022). Enhanced performance in fusion plasmas through turbulence suppression by megaelectronvolt ions. NATURE PHYSICS, 18(7), 776-782 [10.1038/s41567-022-01626-8].

Enhanced performance in fusion plasmas through turbulence suppression by megaelectronvolt ions

Carnevale D.;Fonnesu N.;Galeani S.;Gaudio P.;Gelfusa M.;Lungaroni M.;Marinelli M.;Milani E.;Peluso E.;Romanelli F.;Rossi R.;Verona C.;
2022-01-01

Abstract

Alpha particles with energies on the order of megaelectronvolts will be the main source of plasma heating in future magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Instead of heating fuel ions, most of the energy of alpha particles is transferred to electrons in the plasma. Furthermore, alpha particles can also excite Alfvénic instabilities, which were previously considered to be detrimental to the performance of the fusion device. Here we report improved thermal ion confinement in the presence of megaelectronvolts ions and strong fast ion-driven Alfvénic instabilities in recent experiments on the Joint European Torus. Detailed transport analysis of these experiments reveals turbulence suppression through a complex multi-scale mechanism that generates large-scale zonal flows. This holds promise for more economical operation of fusion reactors with dominant alpha particle heating and ultimately cheaper fusion electricity.
2022
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore FIS/01 - FISICA SPERIMENTALE
Settore ING-IND/18 - FISICA DEI REATTORI NUCLEARI
Settore PHYS-03/A - Fisica sperimentale della materia e applicazioni
Settore IIND-07/C - Fisica dei reattori nucleari
English
Mazzi, S., Garcia, J., Zarzoso, D., Kazakov, Y.o., Ongena, J., Dreval, M., et al. (2022). Enhanced performance in fusion plasmas through turbulence suppression by megaelectronvolt ions. NATURE PHYSICS, 18(7), 776-782 [10.1038/s41567-022-01626-8].
Mazzi, S; Garcia, J; Zarzoso, D; Kazakov, Yo; Ongena, J; Dreval, M; Nocente, M; Stancar, Z; Szepesi, G; Eriksson, J; Sahlberg, A; Benkadda, S; Abid, N...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/314731
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