Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have successfully simulated a novel combination method for managing fusion plasma, showing how the two united methods offer more flexibility.
The two methods used are electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) and applying resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP). ECCD is used in magnetic confinement fusion experiments to control and sustain the plasma current, while the application of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) includes deliberately introducing small, controlled magnetic disturbances into the plasma.
“This is kind of a new idea,” said Qiming Hu, lead author of the study, in the official statement. The study, published in Nuclear Fusion, shows that even though the work showed a lot of promise, there are certain challenges. One of them is perfecting the methods for minimizing bursts of particles known as edge-localized modes (ELMs) from the plasma, which can be dangerous.
A device known as a tokamak uses magnetic fields to contain the plasma in a donut shape, but the ELMs can lead to the end of the reaction, potentially damaging the device in the process. “The best way we’ve found to avoid them is by applying resonant magnetic perturbations,” said Alessandro Bortolon.
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