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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.
Michael G. Shats, Hua Xia, Horst Punzmann, Wayne M. Solomon
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 46 | Number 2 | September 2004 | Pages 279-287
Technical Papers | Stellarators | doi.org/10.13182/FST04-A566
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An overview of recent results related to the physics of turbulent structure generation and their interactions in the H-1 heliac is presented. In particular, the role of zonal flows, or time-varying shear radial electric fields, in anomalous transport and confinement transitions is investigated. It is shown that large-scale coherent structures, including zonal flows, are generated through an inverse energy cascade from the unstable spectral range. Once developed, zonal flows affect other turbulent structures and reduce the particle transport driven by them. The phase randomization of coherent structures by zonal flows is shown to be responsible for reducing the anomalous transport. Zonal flows are also shown to act as precursors during spontaneous low-to-high transitions in H-1.