Confinement and Stability of Fast Ions in Fusion Plasmas

This book explores the physics of fast ions and fast ion- driven instabilities. It also describes modern theory of near- critical nonlinear wave- particle systems with the particle source and wave damping. Such a theory was developed by H.L. Berk and B.N. Breizman in the mid- 1990s, and it delivered outstanding results successfully explaining the experimentally observed collective phenomena driven by energetic ions.

A systematic and step-by-step analysis of resonant interactions between the waves in plasmas and various types of energetic ion populations is presented and analyzed, taking the readers on an exciting journey into the world of nonlinear physics and cutting-edge experiments performed on the world’s major magnetic fusion machines.

The phenomena described in this book will be of interest for researchers studying fusion, solar plasma, space plasma, and for a broader realm of scientists working in nonlinear phenomena.

Key Features:

• Features experimental data and the Berk-Breizman theory on nonlinear evolution of energetic particle-driven waves
• Describes in simple terms, the recent advances in the diagnostics of energetic particles and Alfvén waves
• Presents a systematic overview of extrapolating results presented in other types of plasmas (e.g., solar and space) and nonlinear systems.

Dr. Boris Breizman is an expert in theoretical plasma physics. His research deals with linear and nonlinear waves in plasmas with applications to magnetic fusion, beam-plasma interactions, space plasma, plasma-based propulsion and laser-plasma interactions. He held the positions of Leading Scientist at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (1986-92) and Professor at Novosibirsk State University (1981-92). Since joining the Institute for Fusion Studies in 1993, Dr. Breizman has made significant new contributions to three important areas: wave-particle interaction in magnetically confined plasma, plasma propulsion project at NASA, and physics of laser-irradiated clusters. In 1998 the Czech Academy of Science awarded him its Ernst Mach Honorary Medal for Merit in the Physical Sciences. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Dr. Sergei Sharapov is of Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, UK. He graduated in experimental nuclear physics from Moscow Physical Technical Institute in 1985, and did his PhD in physics and chemistry of plasmas at Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow. Subsequently, he worked on theory of nonlinear waves and energetic particle-driven Alfven waves before, in 1993, moving to work on JET and on the spherical tokamaks START and MAST, located at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, UK. Dr. Sharapov’s area of interest and expertise lies in the theory, experiment, and diagnosis of energetic particles and energetic particle-driven instabilities.