Joint research using small tokamaks

Abstract

Small tokamaks have an important role in fusion research. More than 40 small tokamaks are operational. Research on small tokamaks has created a scientific basis for the scaling-up to larger tokamaks. Well-known scientific and engineering schools, which are now determining the main directions of fusion science and technology, have been established through research on small tokamaks. Combined efforts within a network of small and medium size tokamaks will further enhance the contribution of small tokamaks. A new concept of interactive coordinated research using small tokamaks in the mainstream fusion science areas, in testing of new diagnostics, materials and technologies as well as in education, training and broadening of the geography of fusion research in the scope of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project, is presented.

Joint experiments on small tokamaks: edge plasma studies on CASTOR

“…This 1st Joint (Host Laboratory) Experiment on 'JRUST' has clearly demonstrated that small tokamaks are suitable and important for broad international cooperation, providing the necessary environment and manpower to conduct dedicated joint research programmes. The contribution of small tokamaks to the mainstream fusion research such as edge turbulence, improved confinement and diagnostics development in the present case can be enhanced through coordinated planning [10]. The activities under this IAEA CRP are already paying visible dividends.…”

Recent Activities on the Experimental Research Programme Using Small Tokamaks

“…Nine small tokamaks participated in the CRP project in 2004-05: T-10, ISTTOK, STOR-M, CASTOR, TCABR, GUTTA, SUNIST, ETE and EGYPTOR. During the first Research Coordination Meeting at Lisbon, 7-10 November 2004, the status of all ongoing activities on these tokamaks was presented and the proposed list of activities was summarised in the classification table of the CRP research topics, which was formatted based on the ITPA classification scheme ( Table 2 in [2]). The list of currently proposed CRP research topics has been classified accordingly and presented in the individual activity matrix (Table 2) for each participating tokamak reflecting activities of the individual proposals.…”

“…Combined efforts within a network of small and medium size tokamaks will provide further contribution of small tokamaks to the fusion research. An interactive co-ordinated research using small tokamaks in the mainstream fusion science areas, in testing of new diagnostics, materials and technologies as well as in education, training and broadening of the geography of fusion research in the scope of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project has started in 2004 [2]. In this paper we present results of the recent activities on the experimental research programme using small tokamaks and overview scientific results achieved at the participating laboratories.…”

Contribution to fusion research from IAEA coordinated research projects and joint experiments

“…Results from small fusion devices obtained during previous JEs and from individual co-ordinated activities are well described in [7][8][9]. Here we present only some selected examples of recent results of significant importance to the mainstream fusion research.…”