Tremendous progress has been made in magnetic confinement fusion research over the past decades, culminating in the recent world record energy output recorded at JET.
A crucial aspect, only partially addressed in current experiments, is the impact of fast particles like fusion-born alpha on plasma turbulence and confinement.
Once mastered, this will allow the achievement of a burning plasma and usher in a new era of fusion research. First-principles-based numerical simulations, utilising state-of-the-art HPC systems, are essential for understanding these complex multiscale and multiphysics processes.
Here, the team proposes a simulation campaign to address compelling open questions in fusion science using the gyrokinetic code GENE (http://genecode.org), which is by far the most widely used such code in the world, both in terms of user base and range of applications.
The project proposes to investigate open issues related to the physics of fast ions and their interaction with turbulence on the basis of JET experimental data. The impact of this proposal transcends modelling a specific discharge.
It will deepen our understanding of a crucial issue towards the success of ITER, help identify limits of our current modelling tools and guide optimizing future experiments.
Gabriele Merlo, Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics - Germany