New issue of ASDEX Upgrade Newsletter

Information about research with the ASDEX Upgrade fusion device

ASDEX Upgrade Letter deals with present developments and research results from the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak fusion device, on which scientists from all over Europe are working.

The latest issue 19/2018 includes studies on the significance of the edge layer of the plasma for the quality of plasma confinement: It is known that the divertor plates, to which particles from the edge layer are directed, can be protected by impurities specifically injected into the plasma edge. It is now being investigated why in some discharges this also improves plasma confinement. Interplay of theory and experiment has revealed that the influence of the impurities on a region of high particle density at the plasma edge here plays an important role.

Also treated are experiments in which it was possible for the first time, with feedback-controlled particle heating, to achieve a stationary I-mode – short for improved energy confinement mode – this being a plasma state with improved energy confinement. Plans for the scheduled conversion of the top divertor of ASDEX Upgrade are also featured. The modified divertor is to serve for investigating alternative solutions for power exhaust in a future DEMO demonstration power plant.