Fusion reactions. Fusion in nature. Future energy demands. Energy alternatives. Fusion history. Different approaches to fusion. The Lawson criterion. Breakeven, ignition. Quality parameters of the fusion plasma. Fusion reactor power balance and thermal stability. Heating of fusion plasmas. The Energy principle applied to different configurations. Tokamak stability; MHD and non-MHD modes. Resistive instabilities. Resistive wall modes and feedback control. Density and beta limits. Edge localized mode (ELM), multi-faceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE). Fishbones. Disruptions. Confinement modes and energy confinement scaling laws. Reversed shear scenarios. Characteristics of different magnetic confinement schemes. Spherical and compact tokamaks. RFP and stellarator stability. Reactor design and reactor studies. ITER design. Magnetized target fusion. Inertial fusion; direct and indirect drive, fast ignition, the large experiments NIF and LMJ. Safety and environmental aspects of fusion. Fusion research at KTH and at different experiments in the world.
FED3320 Fusion Research 8.0 credits
Information for research students about course offerings
The course is given when there is sufficient demand. Please contact the examiner if you are interested in taking the course.
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
When completing the course, the student should be able to
- Give an account of fusion reactions and conditions for fusion energy production
- Explain different experimental approaches to fusion
- Discuss reactor power balance and thermal stability
- Derive and discuss MHD tokamak instabilities from the Energy principle
- Give an account of current stability issues for tokamaks
- Assess confinement and experimental confinement scalings
- Discuss limits of operations for magnetic fusion devices
- Discuss the value of non-tokamak aproaches to magnetic fusion
- Give an account of important experiments around the world
- Explain the basic principles of inertial fusion and the status of research
- Give an account of the safety and environmental aspects of fusion
- Discuss the motivation for fusion energy research in a global perspective
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Courses FED3210 and FED3230 (or corresponding) are prerequisites.
Recommended prerequisites
Courses FED3210 and FED3230 (or corresponding) are prerequisites.
Equipment
Literature
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- EXA1 - Examination, 8.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Final oral exam.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- 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.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Offered by
Main field of study
Education cycle
Add-on studies
Contact
Supplementary information
The course is taught as discussion meetings, for which the students have prepared themselves.
A final oral exam concludes the course.