Dr. Michael Van Zeeland recognized for driving energetic particle-driven instability and innovation in plasma diagnostics
San Diego – January 5, 2023 – General Atomics (GA) researcher Dr. Michael Van Zeeland has been named a 2022 Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS). Dr. Van Zeeland is a scientist on his staff at GA and has been nominated for a fellowship from his APS Department of Plasma Physics.
The quote reads: [AE] other energetic particles [EP]For tokamak plasma instability, and diagnostic innovation and leadership. ”
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers stars, and it occurs when two light nuclei combine to form a new nucleus, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Researchers can create nuclear fusion using a tokamak, a device that uses heat, magnets, and microwaves to generate plasma. This is a highly ionized “soup” of charged particles that can be controlled by magnetic fields. A reaction that produces electricity.
AE and other EP-driven instabilities are waves in fusion plasma driven and interacting with a specific class of charged particles known as ‘fast ions’. Fast ions can be produced through fusion reactions or processes used to heat plasmas. The large instability induced by the EP can cause fast ions to escape the plasma, reducing the power output or damaging the inner walls of the fusion device. Containing and controlling these types of instabilities is a key challenge to achieving practical fusion energies.
Dr. Van Zeeland’s work has contributed significantly to our understanding of AE and other EP-induced instabilities, and is one of the most detailed measurements ever achieved of both AE structure and its impact on fusion performance. brought some.
“Many of the advances we have made in understanding AE and EP-induced instabilities have been made possible by advances in diagnosing the waves themselves and the energetic particle ensembles that interact with them.” Dr. Van Zeeland said. “Our goal is to generate the ability to predict the effects of AE and EP instability in future fusion devices and tools to control them.”
Dr. Van Zeeland conducted experimental work with collaborators at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, California and the Axisymmetric Divertor Experiment (ASDEX) upgrade in Garching, Germany. At DIII-D, Dr. Van Zeeland took advantage of the facility’s flexibility and state-of-the-art diagnostic set to measure his AE under a variety of conditions and compare the results with state-of-the-art modeling tools. As part of the team of researchers, Dr. Van Zeeland helped pioneer a variety of diagnostics applied to these and other experiments, including innovative techniques to measure small wave-induced density variations, and You have generated your first image measurement. particle profile. Dr. Van Zeeland also worked with researchers early in his career to design a new diagnostic tool known as the “imaging neutral particle analyzer.” This provides unprecedented detail of fast ion motion in the presence of AEs on his DIII-D and other tokamak around the world. .
In addition to his work at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, Dr. Van Zeeland is part of a team of engineers and scientists developing toroidal interferometer and polarimeter (TIP) diagnostics for the international ITER experiment. ITER, currently under construction in France, is an unprecedented scientific collaboration of 35 countries that proves the feasibility of fusion. TIP will eventually be used as the primary tool for controlling the density of his ITER plasma.
“We hope that TIP will allow us to see AE and other waves in the core of the ITER plasma in the same way that similar diagnoses are made in DIII-D.” Added Dr. Van Zeeland.
As explained by APS, the Fellowship Program is designed to recognize members who have advanced physics through their own research and publications, or who have made significant and innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology. was created in Being elected as a Fellow is a special honor, and each year only 0.5 percent of her members of the Society are elected Fellows.
“General Atomics is very lucky to benefit from the best minds in fusion. Mike Van Zeeland is a perfect example of how one individual can make a real contribution to the field.” Dr. Wayne Solomon, Vice President, Magnetic Fusion Energy, said: “The appointment of an APS Fellow is a testament to Mike’s hard work and leadership and his contribution to the advancement of nuclear fusion.”
“It is truly an honor to be recognized as a Fellow of APS. We are very lucky to be working with such an excellent team at GA and the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, and are excited to explore the potential of fusion energy and its impact on the world.” I have never been more optimistic about the benefits it will bring to Dr. Van Zeeland said.
About generic atomics: Since the dawn of the atomic age, General Atomics innovations have advanced cutting-edge technology across the gamut of science and technology, from nuclear energy and defense to medicine and high-performance computing. Behind a talented global team of scientists, engineers and experts, GA’s unique experience and capabilities are combined to create safe, sustainable, economical and innovative solutions to meet the growing global demand. We continue to provide effective solutions.
About the DIII-D National Fusion Facility. DIII-D is the largest magnetic fusion research facility in the United States and has made many pioneering contributions to the advancement of fusion energy science. DIII-D collaborates with more than 800 participants and his more than 400 actively contributing scientists representing more than 100 institutions around the world to conduct and implement important research. We are continuing our efforts towards a realistic nuclear fusion energy. As a US Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility, participation in DIII-D research is open to all interested parties. For more information, please visit www.ga.com/diii-d.
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