Alpha particle effects in burning tokamak plasmas: overview and specific examples
Using the total power balance of an ignited tokamak plasma as a guideline, a range of alpha driven effects is surveyed regarding their impact on achieving and maintaining fusion burn. Specific examples of MHD and kinetic modes and multi species transport dynamics are discussed, including the possible interaction of these categories of effects. This power balance approach rather than a straightforward enumeration of possible effects serves to reveal their non-linear dependence and the ensuing fragility of our understanding of the approach to and maintenance of ignition. Specific examples are given of the interaction between ..cap alpha..-power driven sawtoothing and ideal MHD stability, and direct ..cap alpha..-effects on MHD modes including kinetic corrections. Anomalous ion heat transport and central impurity peaking mechanisms and anomalous and collisional ..cap alpha..-transport including the ambipolar electric field are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Plasma Fusion Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-78ET51013
- OSTI ID:
- 5442991
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/51013-188; PFC/CP-86-9; ON: DE86014666
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PLASMA HEATING
ALPHA PARTICLES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
COLLISIONS
ENERGY BALANCE
PLASMA INSTABILITY
THERMONUCLEAR IGNITION
CHARGED PARTICLES
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
HEATING
INSTABILITY
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production