Fusion world
A visit to Kyoto's heliotron
16 Oct 2017
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The professors of Kyoto University
At the Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, researchers have been exploring the heliotron concept of magnetic fusion device for more than half a century. Closer to the stellarator than the tokamak, the heliotron has external magnetic coils that shape and confine the plasma. But experiments carried out there can be relevant to ITER physics and technology.
ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot was at the Institute of Advanced Energy (Kyoto University) in September. Here, he is pictured in the Heliotron J control room alongside Professors Nagasaki and Konishi.
Bernard Bigot, the Director-General of the ITER Organization, visited the Institute of Advanced Energy, Uji campus, on 30 September.
Guided by professors from the Institute, he was introduced to the most recent activities of the Heliotron J device whose complex coil system allow researchers to investigate a wide range of magnetic configuration properties. The Director-General was also interested in the dual MV-class accelerator DuET (Dual-Beam Facility for Energy Science and Technology), which simulates fusion-relevant material radiation damage.
Other areas of focus for Kyoto University were also presented to Director-General Bigot, including theoretical and computational fusion research activities on turbulent transport as well as MHD* phenomena. Possible areas of collaboration between the ITER Organization and Kyoto University were discussed, especially as relates to the development of diagnostic and structural materials, plasma turbulence simulation, and the training of young scientists.
Finally, the ITER Director-General was able to see the first ITER Tokamak model made by Kyoto University students Taishi Sugiyama and Kaishi Sakane from Lego bricks. In March 2017, the students had been able to repeat their technical exploit in the lobby of ITER Headquarters, where the model still stands.
* Magnetohydrodynamics, or the study of the magnetic properties of electrically conducting plasmas (and other fluids).
For more information on Heliotron J and DuET, please visit the Kyoto University website.