Enrolment options

PHYS-E0463 - Fusion Energy Technology D, Lecture, 7.1.2025-31.3.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

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
Prerequisites
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

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof

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