LEARNING OUTCOMES
- discuss the pros and cons of the different confinement options
- derive the Lawson criterion for both magnetically and inertially confined fusion plasmas, and develop simple numerical tools to calculate the Lawson diagram
- describe the basis of tokamaks and stellarators, their magnetic field configurations and give a status on the present research facilities
- discuss different heating options of fusion plasmas, and make a judgment on their efficiency in different plasma scenarios
- list issues of plasma-wall interaction in fusion devices
- describe the tritium cycle in fusion devices.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 07.01.2025 - 31.03.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Timo Kiviniemi, Mathias Groth
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
This course gives an introduction to plasma physics and fusion, and its concepts toward development of fusion power plants. We will be discussing the scientific requirements of fusion, its challenges in achieving burning fusion plasmas, and its technological constraints. The course is divided into weekly lectures and exercising classes, with the emphasis on discussing the material during the exercise classes. The course will conclude with an exam; depending on the size of the class there will be an oral or written exam. After attending the course you should be able todefine the requirements of achieving a burning fusion plasma, including possible fuel options and the critical plasma parameters.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
20% for lecture attendance, 50% for providing the solutions to exercises, and 30% for the (final) exams. The final exam can be either oral or written exam depending on the number of students attending the course.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
24 hours of lecturing + 24 hours of exercises
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
lecture notes, exercise sheets, references to text books and review articles provided through lectures and exercise classes (see MyCourses page of course)
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III - IV
2025-2026 Spring III - IV