Advancing research into fusion energy
Fusion energy is generated when two light atomic nuclei join forces to create a heavier nucleus. Tests performed in the past have yielded solid results, showing that this process can be replicated on Earth to ultimately produce a sustainable energy source. To demonstrate technological feasibility, a large knowledge base and much preparation are needed. The EU-funded project 'ADAS for fusion in Europe' (ADAS-EU) has provided support in atomic data and analysis in plasma diagnostics and modelling for fusion laboratories across Europe and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Databases containing both fundamental and derived atomic data are implemented and maintained, also promoting computation and measurement of new data. This project consortium stemmed from ADAS , a project which developed a set of computer codes and data collections for plasma modelling and interpretation of spectral emission. ADAS-EU enhanced capabilities in six main areas of atomic physics, particularly in relation to magnetic confinement fusion. These areas included heavy element spectroscopy, medium-weight elements, charge exchange spectroscopy, beam stopping/emission, diatomic spectra and collisional-radiative models. Project members provided a standard baseline for a set of heavy elements and analysed their spectral emission in fusion plasma. This helped to model impurities in plasma from tungsten which was used in the ITER fusion reactor. Furthermore, lifting atomic modelling for critical tungsten ions enabled the team to address some atomic physics aspects of tungsten transport and emission. ADAS-EU developed universal exchange models and extended collisional-radiative models modelling, thus increasing reliability of cross-sectional data and allowing to predict beam emissivity for tungsten ions. Furthermore, new methods and package codes allowed to achieve the highest precision levels for collisional-radiative models of medium-weight elements. Such models were also developed for molecules such as hydrogen isotopomers. Isotopomers are isotopic isomers. Project final results constituted reports on the main themes probed, covering scientific, technical and implementation issues and are published on the project website .
Keywords
Fusion energy, plasma diagnostics, modelling, magnetic confinement, collisional-radiative, hydrogen isotopomer
