Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas

0443674 - ÚFP 2016 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Lorenzini, R. - Martines, E. - Piovesan, P. - Terranova, D. - Zanca, P. - Zuin, M. - Alfier, A. - Bonfiglio, D. - Bonomo, F. - Canton, A. - Cappello, S. - Carraro, L. - Cavazzana, R. - Escande, D.F. - Fassina, A. - Franz, P. - Gobbin, M. - Innocente, P. - Marrelli, L. - Pasqualotto, R. - Puiatti, M.E. - Spolaore, M. - Valisa, M. - Vianello, N. - Martin, P. - Apolloni, L. - Adámek, Jiří - Agostini, M. - Annibaldi, S.V. - Antoni, V. - Auriemma, F. - Barana, O. - Baruzzo, M. - Bettini, P. - Bolzonella, T. - Brombin, M. - Brotánková, Jana - Buffa, A. - Buratti, P. - Cavinato, M. - Chapman, B.E. - Chitarin, G. - Dal Bello, S. - De Lorenzi, A. - De Masi, G. - Ferro, A. - Gaio, E. - Gazza, E. - Giudicotti, L. - Gnesotto, F. - Grando, L. - Guazzotto, L. - Guo, S.C. - Igochine, V. - Liu, Y.Q. - Luchetta, A. - Manduchi, G. - Marchiori, G. - Marcuzzi, D. - Martini, S. - McCollam, K. - Milani, F. - Moresco, M. - Novello, L. - Ortolani, S. - Paccagnella, R. - Peruzzo, S. - Piovan, R. - Piron, L. - Pizzimenti, A. - Pomaro, N. - Predebon, I. - Reusch, J.A. - Rostagni, G. - Rubinacci, G. - Sarff, J.S. - Sattin, F. - Scarin, P. - Serianni, G. - Sonato, P. - Spada, E. - Sopplesa, A. - Spagnolo, S. - Spizzo, G. - Taliercio, C. - Toigo, V. - Villone, F. - White, R.B. - Yadikin, D. - Zaccaria, P. - Zamengo, A. - Zaniol, B. - Zanotto, L. - Zilli, E. - Zohm, H.
Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas.
Nature Physics. Roč. 5, č. 8 (2009), s. 570-574. ISSN 1745-2473. E-ISSN 1745-2481
Institutional support: RVO:61389021
Keywords : plasma * fusion * ITER * helical equilibrium
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 15.491, year: 2009

In the quest for new energy sources, the research on controlled thermonuclear fusion has been boosted by the start of the construction phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). ITER is based on the tokamak magnetic configuration, which is the best performing one in terms of energy confinement. Alternative concepts are however actively researched, which in the long term could be considered for a second generation of reactors. Here, we show results concerning one of these configurations, the reversed-field pinch (RFP). By increasing the plasma current, a spontaneous transition to a helical equilibrium occurs, with a change of magnetic topology. Partially conserved magnetic flux surfaces emerge within residual magnetic chaos, resulting in the onset of a transport barrier. This is a structural change and sheds new light on the potential of the RFP as the basis for a low-magnetic-field ohmic fusion reactor.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0246470