Description
Objectives
General: Ensure solid scientific training in a field with profound societal implications, namely in sustainability and climate emergency, providing a set of analysis tools that allow innovative disciplinary or interdisciplinary approaches. Specific: Understanding the concepts, basic principles and phenomenology of the physics of magnetically confined Nuclear Fusion plasmas, developing the ability to apply them to problem solving, and providing leverage to pursue more advanced training.
Syllabus
1. Plasma-physics challenges for fusion. 2. Magnetic equilibrium: the MHD model for fusion; 1D simple cases; force balance in a torus; Grad-Shafranov's equation and safety factor; 3. MHD Stability: force operator; eigenvalue- problem formulation and properties; 1D simple cases; qualitative effects of curvature, pressure, current, and conducting wall. 4. The Tokamak configuration: surface-current model; equilibrium beta limit, Kruskal- Shafranov's limit, vertical instability; operational domain and Troyon's limits; disruptions. 5. Guiding-centre motion and classification of orbit types. 6. Transport in tokamaks: classical transport; trapped particles and neoclassical transport; turbulence and anomalous transport. 7. Plasma heating and current drive.
Prerequisites
Plasma Physics and Technology
Cross Competence Component
The UC promotes, through exposure to its themes and practical problem solving, the skills of Critical and innovative thinking [Problem solving strategies, Strategic thinking, Critical thinking, Creativity], as well as Intrapersonal skills [Intrinsic motivation, Productivity and Time management]. However, these competencies are not subject to explicit evaluation. In the writing, presentation and discussion of problems and scientific work, the Intra and Interpersonal skills of Written and Oral communication and that of Information literacy in the Structuring of documents may have a weight of up to 20%.
Programming And Computing Component
It may be present in the continuous assessment component (in the series of problems and/or in the scientifc essay), through numerical problem solving or development of a computational work/project.
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.