Education

B.Eng. Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan 1986
M.Sc. Applied Physics, Universite du Quebec 1988
Ph.D. Applied Physics, University du Quebec 1992

Research Interests

The primary feature of my professional career has been the search for solutions to the numerous problems caused by plasma-surface interactions (PSI) in magnetic confinement fusion power reactors. It is obvious that these problems must be solved to realize the dream of clean, efficient fusion power. PSI science is a challenging and interesting research topic as it touches on nearly every aspect of plasma and material sciences, and the complex coupling between the two. This demands a multi-disciplinary effort that is critical for fusion, and also extends our knowledge of these complex systems with the possibility of impacting similar fields of research, such as microprocessor etching and space propulsion.

The research profile of PSI is increasing in the international fusion program, particularly in the EU, which will host the ITER burning plasma experiment. ITER represents an unprecedented leap in fusion power, energy density, pulse length, and tritium fuel throughput for fusion experiments. Understanding and solving the coupled problems of plasma performance, transient damage from instabilities, power exhaust, and impurity control are urgently required in the next 5-10 years leading up to ITER operations. The prospect of operating ITER is forcing the fusion research community to deal seriously with these issues in an integrated manner for the first time. It is perhaps more important to realize that PSI science and technology must advance far past solving the issues for ITER. Dealing with PSI in the subsequent jump to a steady-state fusion reactor, with high neutron and energy fluence to all surfaces, is perhaps the most daunting research task facing fusion.

I believe two significant and linked advances must occur in order to elevate PSI science to the next level and to ensure the success burning plasma devices such as ITER:

1. An integrated PSI science approach across confinement and plasma devices. For this reason I collaborate with fusion laboratories, with the Alcator C-Mod tokamak at the MIT PSFC being the most prominent example.
2. Vastly improved in-situ PSI diagnostics. This is the basic motivation for my accelerator-based PSI experiment that is being setup at MIT.