If you put enough heating power into a confined plasma, then it will self-organize into a state of improved confinement. The amount of input power required for this transition depends on the species of plasma. It takes more power to reach this higher confinement in a proton plasma compared to a deuterium plasma. As we […]
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DIII-D Highlight: Distribution of Tearing Mode Onset
As the pressure in our fusion plasma increases, the plasma develops the ability to alter the makeup of the magnetic field that contains it. Some of these alterations are helpful and actually improve containment (see bootstrap current). Other alterations are not so helpful, and that’s why you’ll often hear researchers exclaim “tearing modes!” in the […]
Our team noticed a little bit of holiday magic in the real-time equilibrium solution of a recent shot. While this heart-shaped plasma might not have been real, our love of fusion energy is evident every day.
An open access review of the high poloidal-beta scenario developed jointly by DIII-D and EAST has recently been published by Siye Ding and Andrea Garofalo. This is a contender for the plasma scenario that will power the US Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP).
These sharp looking stickers with in-vessel photos were distributed at the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) this past weekend. These were a hit, so we’re printing another batch. Next time you pass through DIII-D, be sure to grab one.
The fusion research community had a marvelous 2022. Even the Grinch would have enjoyed being a part of this team. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2023, including lots of new people joining the effort. Happy New Year to all, and may our 2023 be another gourd-geous year!