M. Kikuchi – Fusion Physics (2012)

Автор: M. Kikuchi
Название книги: Fusion Physics (2012)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Физика
Страницы: 1158
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Recreating the energy production process of the Sun — nuclear fusion —
on Earth in a controlled fashion is one of the greatest challenges of this century. If
achieved at affordable costs, energy supply security would be greatly enhanced and
environmental degradation from fossil fuels greatly diminished. Fusion Physics
describes the last fifty years or so of physics and research in innovative technologies
to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion for energy production.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been involved
since its establishment in 1957 in fusion research. It has been the driving force
behind the biennial conferences on Plasma Physics and Controlled Thermonuclear
Fusion, today known as the Fusion Energy Conference. Hosted by several Member
States, this biennial conference provides a global forum for exchange of the latest
achievements in fusion research against the backdrop of the requirements for a net
energy producing fusion device and, eventually, a fusion power plant. The scientific
and technological knowledge compiled during this series of conferences, as well as
by the IAEA Nuclear Fusion journal, is immense and will surely continue to grow
in the future. It has led to the establishment of the International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor (ITER), which represents the biggest experiment in energy
production ever envisaged by humankind.
The IAEA also would like to thank the editors of the book, M. Kikuchi,
K. Lackner and Minh Quang Tran, for preparing this comprehensive manuscript
on fusion, including magnetic and inertial fusion concepts. They have selected a
prominent group of contributors, many of whom have provided seminal scientific
contributions to important developments in the field. The IAEA also conveys its
gratitude to the authors for their long standing cooperation. Their work is highly
appreciated, and this present compendium will help to raise awareness of the
opportunities offered by fusion and the path towards a demonstration fusion power
plant.

In 1958, during the second Conference on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear
Energy in Geneva, nuclear fusion research was declassified. At this time the
basis of nuclear fusion science and technology was confined to a few books and
monographs written by ‘pioneers’.
After this event, the tradition to periodically exchange the latest discoveries
in fusion research development was established by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) through its series of Fusion Energy Conferences (IAEA
FECs). It was natural that in 2008 the 22nd IAEA FEC came back to the same
location in Geneva, the Palais des Nations, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary
of the declassification.
The progress over the past half century has been immense. We are now
in the building phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
(ITER) with the prospect of having 500 MW of fusion power in the second half of
the 2020s and starting studies for the step beyond ITER, a demonstration reactor
(usually referred to as the DEMO power plant). A new generation of scientists
and engineers is needed to build and exploit ITER and accompanying fusion
devices, and to prepare the next step beyond ITER. Master and PhD programmes
have been set up in many universities worldwide to train what is usually referred to
as the “ITER Generation of Scientists”. Compared to 1958, the growth of the field
of nuclear fusion has led to a multiplicity of specialized subfields, each having its
own textbooks.
The occasion of the 2008 IAEA FEC prompted us to propose to the IAEA
International Fusion Research Council (IFRC) to sponsor a tutorial book for
post-graduate students. Our aim is to provide an introduction to nuclear fusion,
its status and perspectives. Specialized chapters are devoted to the main concepts
under R&D (magnetic and inertial conferment) together with the physics as
well as the technology basis. With the strong support and under the guidance of
the IFRC, we have invited international experts to contribute to the project. Our
vision of the book was shared by all contacted colleagues, who enthusiastically
accepted this difficult tutorial task.
It is our hope that the material presented will allow post-graduate level
students to become familiar with the topics of their studies. More advanced
researchers will also find materials on topics adjacent to their field of
specialization. The progress in nuclear fusion research is such that it has become
impossible to cover in detail all the key issues: this book is not intended to
replace specialized monographs or review articles.
The book starts with an introduction to the case for the development of
fusion as an energy source, followed by chapters on the physics of confinement,
equilibrium and stability of tokamaks. Diagnostics, heating and current drive
by neutral beams and radiofrequency waves, and plasma–wall interactions are described in detail. While the tokamak is currently the leading concept
for the realization of nuclear fusion, it is important to note that other concepts
(helical confinement concepts and, in a broader sense, other magnetic configurations)
have also received wide interest worldwide. Last but not least, inertial
confinement fusion is one of the important lines of research, which naturally finds
its place in the book. The later part of the book is oriented towards ITER and
fusion technology.
The realization of this book would not have been possible without the
enthusiastic commitment of all authors, who took upon themselves the task
of sharing their vast knowledge with the ITER generation in parallel with
their research duties. We would like to wholeheartedly thank them for their
dedication. Our responsibility has also included careful reading of the contributed
manuscripts. That was done with the help of a few colleagues, whose contribution
is gratefully acknowledged.
Last but not least, our appreciation also goes to the IAEA and its staff,
which provided an unfailing support and encouragement. We would like to
particularly thank G. Mank, R. Kamendje, R. Kaiser and T. Desai, whose support
throughout this endeavour has rendered the publication of this volume possible.
We also would like to acknowledge the very useful contribution of B. Gulejova,
whose professional expertise has helped solve a multitude of editorial issues.