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Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

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On the COver<br />

Depicted is Vortex Waltz, a computer simulation snapshot of two-dimensional fluid vortexes captured by J. Luc Peterson<br />

(graduate student) and Greg Hammett (physicist) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton<br />

University. Two-dimensional fluid vortexes attract, swirling and merging with their partners in a turbulent ballet.<br />

This natural behavior influences phenomena ranging from weather patterns in the atmosphere to the per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

of nuclear fusion devices. Advanced numerical algorithms and high-per<strong>for</strong>mance supercomputers allow <strong>for</strong> turbulence<br />

simulations of unprecedented detail. This snapshot catches the vortexes in the act. Originally entirely separated,<br />

the two vortex centers (dark red) have sent out spiral bands and shock waves throughout the background<br />

fluid as they’ve circled each other and combined. If left alone long enough, the two will complete their dance as a<br />

single, larger vortex. The image is featured in the 2009 Art of Science exhibit at Princeton University.

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