DIII-D Advanced Tokamak Workshop

February 27-28, 2007
General Atomics, San Diego

The purpose of the workshop is to provide a forum for input into long range experimental planning and associated diagnostic requirements for DIII-D’s advanced tokamak research program. We welcome input on issues that affect both ITER and steady-state reactor development beyond ITER. Ideas for improved theoretical understanding and integrated predictive modeling of advanced tokamak plasmas are also welcome. This is the fourth in a series of “brainstorming” workshops on long range planning for DIII-D. Previous workshops focused on new diagnostic ideas and boundary physics, in addition to a workshop on general ideas. This workshop will focus on potential contributions the DIII-D program can make in the area of advanced tokamak scenarios such as:

• Understanding and optimization of existing scenarios (steady state and hybrid)

This includes work required to project the hybrid scenario performance confidently to ITER, improvements to the hybrid scenario, and improvements to the flat shear steady state scenario that should have an existence proof prior to the beginning of the five-year plan. The focus here will be on the core physics.

• Integration of core and boundary solutions (ELM mitigation, heat-flux reduction)

Advanced tokamak operation presents unique challenges for the boundary due to the bias toward high temperature core solutions. Proposals will be sought that address issues such as ELM mitigation, heat-flux reduction, and plasma purity in this specific regime.

• Exploration for higher beta

Steady state reactor designs often optimize at very high beta_N (=> 5). Novel scenario ideas are sought that yield high fusion gain at high duty cycle, but ideas that allow access to beta_N>4 are especially encouraged.

• Control needs (instability and profile control)

Driven high performance scenarios have a variety of control needs from access to maintenance of the desired operating point to safe shutdown from normal or abnormal conditions. Topics for this area include current, rotation and pressure profile control, instability control, burn control, and shape control issues specific to advanced scenarios.

Participants are encouraged to present new ideas for experimental studies, hardware upgrades and diagnostic measurements that they believe are critical in addressing these key issues. Discussion on the role of DIII-D in the national and international programs on advanced tokamak physics is also encouraged. Over the two days, the workshop will be broken into four sessions, each focusing on one of the above topics. Each session will include brief presentations from participants. After the presentations, significant time will be allotted for general discussion. Remote viewing/participation will be available for those unable to travel. Traveler’s information can be found at Visitor Information. Potential participants (either local or remote) who desire to attend and/or make presentations should indicate their interest through the Expression of Interest link below. For further information, please contact Tim Luce.

Please follow the Expression of Interest link to add your address to the e-mail distribution list.