2009 APS April Meeting
Volume 54, Number 4
Saturday–Tuesday, May 2–5, 2009;
Denver, Colorado
Session J15: Windows to Burning Plasmas
1:30 PM–3:18 PM,
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Room: Governor's Square 14
Sponsoring
Unit:
DPP
Chair: Vincent Chan, General Atomics
Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.APR.J15.2
Abstract: J15.00002 : The Importance of Turbulence Measurements to Burning Fusion Plasmas
2:06 PM–2:42 PM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Tony Peebles
(UCLA)
The fusion science community is actively preparing for the
``burning plasma
era'' epitomized by ITER -- an international collaboration to
construct,
operate and study the ``next-step'' fusion device. Performance
projections
for the device currently rely on empirical scaling of the
confinement
properties of existing fusion devices. This is not entirely
satisfactory,
and advances in computational power have resulted in the ability
to predict
transport/confinement properties based on first-principles nonlinear
gyrokinetic turbulence models. This talk will describe the role of
turbulence measurements in validating such predictions and, thereby,
enhancing confidence in the ability to project fusion
performance. Since the
predicted transport is determined by the turbulence physics
inherent in the
code, performing comparison and obtaining agreement with the
measured
turbulence properties is essential to establishing confidence in
extrapolating to ``next-step'' devices. Measurements have advanced
considerably and are able to locally monitor turbulence at all
relevant
spatial scales and in multiple fields. Such measurements will be
described,
together with comparison with code predictions in existing fusion
plasmas.
Burning plasmas will provide some unique challenges (e.g. role of
alphas,
low collisionality, high neutron and thermal fluxes) which will
potentially
modify the range of validity of code predictions while also
constraining
measurement capabilities. There is, therefore, an urgent need to
develop
diagnostic techniques suitable for the burning plasma
environment, since
measurement of the turbulence properties will be essential to
provide the
necessary information to guide future modifications to the
simulations. Some
of the challenges and possible solutions will be described.
*Supported by the US DOE under DE-FG03-01ER54615 and
DE-FG02-08ER54984.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.APR.J15.2