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

Figure 13. In ITER, about 40 large-scale diagnostic systems will be used for physics studies, plasma control,
and device protection. (Figure courtesy of ITER Organization.)
facilitate the production of the steady-state burning plasmas. The panel said we must “…make advances
in sensor hardware, procedures and algorithms for measurements of all necessary plasma
quantities with sufficient coverage and accuracy needed for the scientific mission, especially plasma
control.” 2
With these challenges motivating our planning and efforts, we organized the research opportunities
for “diagnosing a self-heated plasma” into three areas:
• development of the measurement capability needed for physics understanding of issues
crucial in the achievement of burning plasmas.
• development of the necessary compatibility of the measurements, calibration strategies, and
reliability requirements necessary for the long-pulse nuclear environment.
• development of the necessary degree of real-time interpretation and analysis of the
measurements to facilitate the level of plasma control essential for device protection and
advanced performance objectives.
These developmental needs apply to iteR burning plasmas (Theme 1) and also to high-performance
steady-state burning plasmas (see the section on measurements in the Theme 2 chapter).
making the necessary measurements to achieve the desired predictive capability and required
plasma control represents a major challenge and opportunity. many of the diagnostics that have
enabled such significant progress in fusion science to date will face formidable obstacles when applied
to measurements in burning plasmas. For some existing techniques, performance will suffer
2 Research Priorities, Gaps, and Opportunities, Panel Report for FESAC (2007), p. 28.
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