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A Multi-Sensor Real-Time Resistive-Wall- Mode Identification Tool--FARTECH, Inc., 3146 Bunche Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122-2247; 858-455-6655
Dr. Jin-Soo Kim, Principal Investigator
Dr. Jin-Soo Kim, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82791
Amount: $750,000
The resistive-wall-mode instability limits the optimum operation of tokamak plasmas used in fusion energy research. The real-time identification and control of such deleterious modes are crucial for higher performance operation in present and future experiments, and therefore, for more economical fusion reactors. However, the identification and estimation of RWMs in a tokamak are difficult due to its slow, almost negligible, rotation speed and slow growth rate. This project will develop technology for utilizing signals from multiple diagnostics to identify the rotation, phase, and structure of resistive-wall-modes in real time. If the onset of the instability can be identified, the technology can be used in plasma feedback control. In Phase I, a computational tool was developed for resistive-wall-mode identification of mode-rotation, phase, and structure. In Phase II, the identification algorithm will be optimized for real-time analysis. The multi-sensor, real-time mode identifier will be conducted and its usefulness for RWM feedback control demonstrated at the DIII-D tokamak.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The multi-sensor computational tool that identifies the resistive-wall-mode in real time should be an essential component of any system for controlling these instabilities and play a potentially large role in the success of the tokamak as a future fusion energy source. The technology could also be used to optimize the performance of any electromagnetic systems utilized in commercial industries, including electron beam or ion sources, plasma ashers, and other plasma processing devices.