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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
S. Kitajima, H. Takahashi, Y. Tanaka, H. Utoh, M. Takenaga, M. Yokoyama, S. Inagaki, Y. Suzuki, K. Nishimura, H. Ogawa, J. Shinde, M. Ogawa, H. Aoyama, K. Iwazaki, A. Okamoto, K. Shinto, M. Sasao
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 50 | Number 2 | August 2006 | Pages 201-206
Technical Paper | Stellarators | doi.org/10.13182/FST06-A1236
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The influence of the low-order rational surface (n,m) = (5,3) on ion viscosity and radial electric field formation were investigated by electrode current sweep biasing with a hot cathode at the Tohoku University Heliac. In the improved mode, the position of the maximum electric field remained on the n/m = 5/3 rational surface. After the H-L transition, the local maxima shifted outward to the plasma periphery of ~ 0.8. The low-order magnetic islands were formed resonating the magnetic Fourier components of (n,m) = (5,3) by external perturbation coils. As the widths of the magnetic islands were increased, the biasing electrode current required for the improved mode transition increased. It was suggested that the ion viscosity increased according to the increase in magnetic island width. The increase in the biasing electrode current is equivalent to the increase in the driving force for the poloidal rotation. This suggests the possibility of an active viscosity control assisted by externally controlled island width and magnetic island rotation.