Hutch

1
NCSX Program Introduction 2005-2012

• Hutch Neilson, for the Project Team
• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• NCSX Program Advisory Committee Meeting 7
• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• July 13, 2004

2
The NCSX Team
Integrated national team led by PPPL-ORNL
partnership.
3
Compact Stellarator Vision

• Stellarators solve critical problems for magnetic
  fusion.
• Steady state without current drive.
• Stable without feedback control or rotation
  drive. No disruptions.

• Compact Stellarators (CS) improve on
• previous designs.
• Magnetic quasi-symmetry
• good confinement.
• link to tokamak physics.
• Lower aspect ratio.
• 3D geometry produces benefits and
• costs. We need to quantify both.

4
Stellarator Research Advances Our Fundamental
Science Goals

• Understanding 3D plasma physics important to all
  of MFE science
• Rotational transform sources (int., ext.) effect
  on stability, disruptions?
• 3D plasma shaping stabilize without conducting
  walls or feedback?
• Magnetic quasi-symmetry tokamak-like fundamental
  transport properties?
• Effects of 3-D fast ion resonant modes Alfvénic
  modes in 3-D?
• 3D divertors effects on boundary plasma,
  plasma-material interactions?
• Answering critical fusion science questions
  (FESAC Priorities Panel), e.g.
• How does magnetic field structure impact plasma
  confinement? (T1)
• plasma shaping (T1A)? internal structure (T1B)?
  self-generated currents (T1C)?
• How much external control vs. self-organization
  will a fusion plasma require? (T3)
• How can we interface a 100 million degree burning
  i.e. HOT plasma to its room temperature
  surroundings? (T9)
• Panel configurational diversity in supporting
  research essential to test understanding.
• How can systems be engineered to heat, fuel,
  pump, and confine steady state burning plasmas?
  (T15)
• Plasma control technology support for developing
  confinement approaches. (T15-B)

5
U.S. Stellarator PoP GoalsCS Attractiveness, 3D
Physics

• International Programs (NIFS, IPP,)
• Theory Computation
• ARIES-CS Power Plant Study

QPS (ORNL) CD-1 approved First Plasma 2010

• Test expected CS physics benefits.
• Advance 3D plasma physics.
• Support next-step decisions.

NCSX (PPPL-ORNL) First Plasma - 2008
CTH (Auburn U.) Ops. in 2004
HSX (U. Wisconsin)
6
NCSX Planning Focuses on Assessment in 2012

• DOE Office of Science Strategic Plan (Feb., 2004)
  calls for an
• assessment of CS attractiveness in 2012.
• Expect that U.S. PoP programs (ST, CS, RFP) will
  have at least one
• candidate for promotion to Performance Extension
  about then.
• NSTX in operation since 1999, MST operating as a
  PoP since 2003.
• 10-Year CS PoP Program was approved in 2001.
• PoP knowledge base will draw also from very
  mature international ST, stellarator, and RFP
  programs.
• What should NCSX have to be well positioned in
  2012?
• A body of physics results to support
  attractiveness assessment.
• A record of contributions to 3D plasma physics.
• A well-equipped facility, operating with high
  availability.
• A well-staffed research team.

7
NCSX is Preparing for Operation and
ResearchPreparation Activities Will Be Presented
by Indicated Speakers

• Science (MZ et al.)
• Research planning, physics analysis and design,
  already under way.
• Lazarus, Fredrickson, Stratton, Mioduszewski.
• Buildup of diagnostics.
• Buildup of research team.
• Research program, starting in FY-2008.
• Facilities
• Construction of base NCSX facility by May, 2008
  (HN), then facility operations.
• Buildup of heating, first wall, and plasma
  control capabilities. MZ
• PAC Advise on priorities for research program
  and preparations.

8
NCSX Operation Will Be Similar to NSTX

• Estimated NCSX Annual Operating
• Budget (Mature Facility)
• Assumes joint NCSX / NSTX operation.
• Efficiencies reduce costs for both.
• Both operating 18 weeks per year.
• Estimate is based on NSTX actuals, corrected for
  differences (at the 10 level).

• Science program will be a national collaboration
  led by PPPL and ORNL as partners.

9
NCSX Funding Plan through FY-08

• Facility and research preparation (OFES plan).
• Base Facility fabrication project, through First
  Plasma (May, 2008).
• Facility operations, starting in FY-08.
• Long-lead diagnostic and facility upgrade
  preparations.
• Initial research team formation steps.
• Challenge FY05-06 budgets. Careful
  priority-setting required.

10
Conclusions

• NCSX Research planning focuses on 2012 goals
• Attractiveness assessment.
• 3D plasma physics.
• Decisions on next steps.
• PAC advice on program and preparation priorities
  is requested.