The timely development of practical fusion energy in the 21st century is arguably one of the most important challenges facing the scientific and engineering community worldwide. The Plasma Science and Fusion Center provides a focus for experimental and theoretical studies in plasma science, magnetic and inertial fusion research, and the development of related enabling technologies. The center fosters independent creativity and provides the intellectual environment for the educational training of students, research scientists, and engineers. Research activities at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center fall into six major programmatic divisions as described below.
The Alcator C-Mod Project is developing a basic understanding of the stability and transport properties of high-temperature magnetically confined toroidal plasmas at reactor-relevant conditions. Alcator C-Mod, a world-class divertor tokamak, is a compact, high magnetic field device (up to 9 Tesla) with record high plasma current and particle densities. C-Mod's present research program is aimed at understanding energy and particle transport at magnetic fields and densities comparable to that of future fusion reactors. In addition, it seeks to optimize plasma pressures with RF heating and non-inductive current profile control using high power RF transmitters (8MW at 40-80 MHz) and microwaves (3 MW at 4.6 GHz frequency).
The Physics Research Division is developing the basic experimental and theoretical understanding of magnetically confined plasmas, including experimental research in magnetic reconnection in plasmas, and development of advanced and novel plasma diagnostics. The experimental facilities in this division include the Versatile Toroidal Facility for basic plasma science research, and the Levitated Dipole Experiment, a joint project with Columbia University. This experimental facility at PSFC studies the confinement, stability, heating, and transport of plasma particles and energy in a pure dipole magnetic configuration. World-renowned theoretical research is also carried out by scientists, students, and faculty in this division.
The High-Energy-Density Physics Division designs and implements experiments on national facilities, such as the OMEGA laser facility at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, and the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Facility. This division also performs related theoretical calculations to study and explore the nonlinear dynamics and properties of plasmas in inertial fusion and those under the extreme conditions of density (~1000 g/cc), pressure (~1000 gigabar), and field strength (~megagauss).
The Waves and Beams Division conducts experimental and theoretical research on the physical principles of novel sources of coherent radiation ranging from the microwave to the infrared, optical, and x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Current research includes work on the gyrotron (or cyclotron resonance maser), a novel source of millimeter wave radiation using high magnetic fields. The division also conducts research on novel concepts for high-gradient acceleration of electrons to demonstrate the principles required for future generations of electron linear accelerators. The experimental research utilizes a 25 MeV accelerator to investigate high-gradient acceleration of electrons and coherent radiation by femtosecond electron bunches.
The Fusion Technology and Engineering Division provides critical engineering support for both operating magnetic confinement experiments and advanced design projects. It also develops advanced high-field copper and superconducting magnet technology for the national fusion program and the high-energy physics community, and has been given an important role in the design and testing of the superconducting magnets for ITER, the next-step fusion device. The division also has expertise in magnet design for other fields, including the development of proton synchrotron accelerators for cancer treatment, magnetically levitated trains, and advanced superconducting materials.
The Plasma Technology Division researches and develops plasma technologies for environmental and energy applications, including waste remediation, pollution prevention, and hydrogen fuel reforming. Novel diagnostic technologies are also being developed for fusion plasma energy research, environmental monitoring, nuclear waste vitrification, and national security. In addition, the division is exploring means to clean up diesel engine exhaust, as well as increasing engine efficiency with ethanol-boosted gasoline.
Many academic departments are affiliated with PSFC, including the Physics, Nuclear Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Aeronautics and Astronautics. The center's programs and laboratories provide excellent forums for training students and professional researchers, and offer world-class research facilities to faculty members from many departments. Fifty-eight graduate students are currently involved at all levels of thesis work. Undergraduates also can participate through UROP.
For further information contact the director, Professor Miklos Porkolab, Room NW16-288, MIT, 617-253-8448, fax 617-253-0238, porkolab@psfc.mit.edu.