Scientists at Kyoto University have crafted a model to forecast and regulate the rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules within fusion reactors. This breakthrough contributes to the chilling of plasma and the enhancement of fusion devices’ function, paving the way for potential advancements in the domain of fusion energy production.
A global group of investigators has uncovered a technique to anticipate and govern the rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules inside fusion reactors.
Although taming the Sun might forever remain outside human grasp, hydrogen plasma—which constitutes the majority of the Sun’s core—can be constrained within a magnetic field as an integral part of the fusion energy production process; however, this comes with conditions attached.
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The Difficulties of Plasma Confinement
Plasmas of extremely elevated temperatures, often reaching 100 million degrees Celsius, contained within tokamaks—donut-shaped fusion reactors—inflict harm to these gigantic structures’ containment walls. To cool the plasma through radiation and recombination—the reverse of ionization—researchers introduce hydrogen and inert gases close to the device wall. The mitigation of heat load is vital for prolonging the life of upcoming fusion apparatuses.
Promoting Recombination Activities
The enhancement of recombination could be achieved by understanding and foreseeing the vibrational and rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules close to the walls, but until now, effective approaches had been lacking.
The rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules released from plasma-interacting surfaces were assessed in three distinct tokamaks; the rises in temperature as a result of collisional-radiative procedures within the plasmas were also gauged.
A team of international researchers, guided by Kyoto University, has lately succeeded in elucidating the rotational temperatures observed in three separate experimental fusion instruments in Japan and the United States. Their model calculates the interactions at the surface and collisions between electrons and protons of hydrogen molecules.
The corresponding author, Nao Yoneda of KyotoU’s Graduate School of Engineering, emphasizes, “Our model focused on evaluating the rotational temperatures at the lower energy levels, thereby allowing us to clarify the measurements across various experimental apparatuses.”
Enhancing the Operation of Fusion Devices
The ability to forecast and control the rotational temperature near the wall surface has facilitated the dissipation of plasma heat flux and the optimization of the devices’ functional conditions.
Yoneda observes, “While further comprehension of the rotational-vibrational hydrogen excitation mechanisms is still needed, we were gratified that the adaptability of our model also let us replicate the measured rotational temperatures documented in scholarly works.”
Reference: “Spectroscopic measurement of increases in hydrogen molecular rotational temperature with plasma-facing surface temperature and due to collisional-radiative processes in tokamaks” by N. Yoneda, et al., 27 July 2023, Nuclear Fusion. DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/acd4d1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fusion plasma temperature
What is the primary achievement of the researchers at Kyoto University?
The researchers have developed a model to predict and control the rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules in fusion reactors, contributing to the cooling of plasma and optimizing the performance of fusion devices. This discovery opens doors for future advancements in fusion power generation.
What is the challenge related to containing plasma in fusion reactors?
Containing extremely high-temperature plasmas, often as high as 100 million degrees Celsius, within the tokamaks (donut-shaped fusion reactors) presents a significant challenge. These temperatures can cause damage to the containment walls of the reactors, and researchers must inject hydrogen and inert gases near the device wall to cool the plasma.
How does the new model enhance the recombination process in fusion reactors?
The model facilitates understanding and predicting the vibrational and rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules near the walls of the containment, enhancing the recombination process. Previous strategies for this enhancement were elusive, but the new model offers a way to calculate surface interactions and collisions in hydrogen molecules.
What are the implications of being able to control rotational temperature near the wall surface?
By enabling the prediction and control of the rotational temperature near the wall surface, the research team was able to dissipate plasma heat flux and optimize the devices’ operative conditions. This understanding may lead to improved efficiency and longer-lasting fusion devices.
How does this discovery relate to future fusion device development?
The breakthrough in understanding and controlling rotational temperatures within fusion reactors offers potential advancements in fusion power generation. By optimizing conditions and extending the lifetime of fusion devices, the model provides insights and tools that can be applied to the development of future fusion technologies.
More about fusion plasma temperature
- Kyoto University’s Official Website
- Nuclear Fusion Journal
- International Atomic Energy Agency – Fusion Energy
- DOE Office of Science – Fusion Energy Sciences
1 comment
Wow this is pretty cool stuff. Fusion energy might just be