Fusion and plasma confinement
The ability to confine very high temperature plasmas is central to the issue of fusion power generation. RSPE hosts the H1-NF toroidal helical-axis stellarator which is used to study the physics of confined plasmas and to develop novel diagnostic instrumentation for larger power reactors. Special areas of interest include plasma turbulence and spectroscopic instrumentation.
In support of the experimental efforts, RSPE also undertakes a strong theoretical research program in modelling of plasma flow dynamics and related complex phenomena. We are also a partial host for the ARC Complex Systems Research Network.
Selected research highlights
Selected available student research projects
Applying high-beta equilibrium theory to solve force balance in the next generation of compact spherical tokamaks.
Using asymptotic expansion theory the student will develop a formula for the nonlinear frequency shift of a plasma wave up to terms in the square of the amplitude
This project is concerned with bridging the gap between research on atom and ion interactions with perfect surfaces, and research in fusion reactors involving complex plasma-wall interaction phenomena.
