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

agnostic measurements of critical parameters (including details of equilibrium profiles, as well as
the fluctuations and fluctuation-induced fluxes associated with various instabilities) and associated
synthetic diagnostics have also become available, enabling more direct and detailed tests of
model predictions. Further progress will require the development of measurement capabilities
that are not currently available.
Thus, we need to develop and deploy on available devices the diagnostics necessary for physics understanding
of critical issues for the achievement of burning plasmas. The measurements would
be used for model validation and predictive capability. it is important to keep in mind that motivation
for timely deployment of such diagnostics comes from the knowledge that non-burning
devices may provide the best opportunity for these difficult measurements, since the difficulty
of making measurements is greatly increased on burning plasmas. experience has shown that it
takes about ten years to develop a new diagnostic concept into a reliable full-profile, full-temporal
capability for existing devices.
other Panels across all of the ReneW Themes have identified measurement needs for critical understanding.
examples are:
• “initiate demo PFc diagnostics development in laboratories and deployment for both
solid and liquid surface options. Perform integrated testing in operating tokamaks and
provide data on the qualification of materials.” (Theme 3 PFc Thrust)
• “development of new advanced diagnostics is an essential component for validation.”
(Theme 1 alpha Particle Physics Panel)
• “measure turbulence to fullest possible extent for thermal transport validation.” (Theme
1 extending confinement Panel)
• “actuators and diagnostics – general control research requirements identified common to
most control topical areas.” (Themes 1 and 2 Joint Panel on control)
• “diagnostics to detect stability limits” and “Real-time profile diagnostics for input to
mhd stability.” (Themes 1 and 2 Joint Panel on off-normal/transient events)
• “experiments: improve diagnostics on existing devices.” (Theme 2 modeling Panel)
We provide only a sampling of examples here, advocating that a process and organization be applied
to insure that the critical issues are identified, and that the appropriate diagnostics and simulations
to be validated are developed. additional criteria for selecting such measurements should
be based on the weight they have in discerning models and on the priority that validating models
have, for example, on public and facility safety, operations, and fusion performance optimization.
Development of the necessary compatibility of the measurements, calibration strategies,
and reliability requirements
The iteR environment brings new challenges and risks for measurements and diagnostics. We
propose research to enhance the capability, compatibility, calibration strategies, and reliability of
iteR diagnostic measurements. The work plan of this research would be driven by the establish-
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