Energetic Particles in Tokamak Plasmas

The study of energetic particles in magnetic fusion plasmas is key to the development of next-generation "burning" plasma fusion experiments, such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the Demonstration Power Station (DEMO). This book provides a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the experimental data on how fast ions behave in fusion-grade plasmas, featuring the latest ground-breaking results from world-leading machines such as the Joint European Torus (JET) and the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST). It also details Alfvenic instabilities, driven by energetic ions, which can cause enhanced transport of energetic ions. MHD spectroscopy of plasma via observed Alfvenic waves called "Alfvén spectroscopy" is introduced and several applications are presented. This book will be of interest to graduate students, researchers, and academics studying fusion plasma physics. Features: Provides a comprehensive overview of the field in one cohesive text, with the main physics phenomena explained qualitatively first. Authored by an authority in the field, who draws on his extensive experience of working with energetic particles in tokamak plasmas. Is suitable for extrapolating energetic particle phenomena in fusion to other plasma types, such as solar and space plasmas.

Chapter 1. Magnetic Nuclear Fusion in Tokamaks Chapter 2. Charged Paricle Orbits in Magnetized Plasma Chapter 3. Energetic Ions in Present-day Tokamaks Chapter 4. Equilibrium of Tokamak Plasma Chapter 5. MHD Waves in Magnetically Confirned Plasmas Chapter 6. Toroidicity-induced Alfven Eigenmodes (TAEs) Chapter 7. Experimental Studies of Alfven Eigenmodes Chapter 8. Nonlinear Evolution of Coupled Energetic Particle Populations and Energetic Particle-driven Modes Chapter 9. Alfven Eigenmodes in "Advanced Tokamak" Plasmas Chapter 10. Alfven Spectroscopy.

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 the physics and chemistry of plasmas at the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow. Subsequently, he worked on the 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