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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
A. Langenberg, J. Svensson, H. Thomsen, O. Marchuk, N. A. Pablant, R. Burhenn, R. C. Wolf
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 69 | Number 2 | April 2016 | Pages 560-567
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST15-181
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Two X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer systems are currently being prepared for commissioning at the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X). Both are expected to be ready for the first plasma operation in 2015. The spectrometers will provide line-integrated measurements of basic plasma parameters like ion and electron temperatures (Te,Ti), plasma rotation (vrot), and argon impurity densities. A forward model based on the designed installation geometries of both spectrometers has been performed using the Minerva Bayesian analysis framework. This model allows us to create synthesized data given radial profiles of plasma parameters for a wide range of different scenarios. To simulate line-integrated spectra as measured by the (virtual) detector, the geometry and Gaussian detection noise are assumed. The line-integrated plasma parameters are inferred within the framework from noisy spectral data using the maximum posterior method. The capabilities and limitations of the model and method are discussed through examples of several synthesized data sets of different plasma parameter profiles.