Atomic Physics in the Quest for Fusion Energy and ITER
Authors: Charles H. Skinner
Abstract:
The urgent quest for new energy sources has led developed countries, representing over half of the world population, to collaborate on demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of magnetic fusion through the construction and operation of ITER. Data on high-Z ions will be important in this quest. Tungsten plasma facing components have the necessary low erosion rates and low tritium retention but the high radiative efficiency of tungsten ions leads to stringent restrictions on the concentration of tungsten ions in the burning plasma. The influx of tungsten to the burning plasma will need to be diagnosed, understood and stringently controlled. Expanded knowledge of the atomic physics of neutral and ionized tungsten will be important to monitor impurity influxes and derive tungsten concentrations. Also, inert gases such as argon and xenon will be used to dissipate the heat flux flowing to the divertor. This article will summarize the spectroscopic diagnostics planned for ITER and outline areas where additional data is needed.
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Presented at: Ninth International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas, 7 - 10 August 2007, Lund, Sweden.
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Download PPPL-4297 (pdf 297 Kb)
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