Back to Search Start Over

Observation of alpha-particles in recent D–T experiments on JET

Authors :
V.G. Kiptily
C.D. Challis
R. Dumont
M. Fitzgerald
J. Garcia
L. Garzotti
Z. Ghani
J. Hobirk
P. Jacquet
A. Kappatou
D. Keeling
Ye. Kazakov
P. Mantica
M.J. Mantsinen
S.E. Sharapov
E.R. Solano
D. Van Eester
P.J. Bonofiglo
T. Craciunescu
A. Dal Molin
J. Eriksson
V. Goloborodko
M.V. Iliasova
E.M. Khilkevitch
D. King
I. Lengar
M. Nocente
S. Menmuir
M. Podestà
M. Poradzinski
D. Rigamonti
J. Rivero-Rodriguez
Z. Stancar
A.E. Shevelev
P. Siren
H. Sun
D.M. Taylor
M. Tardocchi
P. Beaumont
F. Belli
F.E. Cecil
R. Coelho
M. Curuia
M. Garcia-Munoz
E. Joffrin
C. Lowry
M. Lennholm
E. Lerche
C.F. Maggi
J. Mailloux
D. Marocco
M. Maslov
C. Perez Von Thun
F. Rimini
V. Zoita
JET Contributors
Source :
Nuclear Fusion, Vol 64, Iss 8, p 086059 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
IOP Publishing, 2024.

Abstract

The fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium, D ( T,n ) ^4 He is the main source of energy in future thermonuclear reactors. Alpha-particles ( ^4 He -ions) born with an average energy of 3.5 MeV transferring energy to the thermal plasma during their slowing down, should provide the self-sustained D–T plasma burn. The adequate confinement of α -particles is essential to provide efficient heating of the bulk plasma and steady burning of a reactor plasma. That is why the fusion-born α -particle studies have been a priority task in the second D–T experiments (DTE2) on the Joint European Torus (JET) to understand the main mechanisms of their slowing down, redistribution and losses and to develop optimal plasma scenarios. JET with Be -wall and W -divertor, enhanced auxiliary heating systems and improved energetic-particle diagnostic capabilities, producing significant population of α -particles, provided the possibility for comprehensive studying of the α -particle behaviour. Selected results of the confined and lost α -particle measurements, evidence of α -particle self-heating and assessments of the fusion performance are presented in this paper giving an opportunity for further modelling and extrapolation to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and burning plasma reactors.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17414326 and 00295515
Volume :
64
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nuclear Fusion
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.91bacd65e98741a6967c59497fe7547f
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/ad5c81