Experiments

UKAEA has an extensive experimental programme on our own 'COMPASS-D' and 'MAST' devices, as well as being a major contributor to the collaborative European physics programme on the flagship JET device (which we also operate on behalf of the European Community). Experimental studies are undertaken by people from various departments and fields, and it is common for experimentalists to have a particular focus of interest, based on theory, a diagnostic, heating system, etc.

The experimental programme is arranged to identify and solve the problems of plasma physics, particularly those pertaining to fusion energy generation. These encompass:

• plasma instabilities, the limits they impose and their mitigation
• studies of transport properties to optimise performance for burning plasma devices
• exploration of burning plasma effects, including those of energetic a particle populations
• testing and development of heating, current drive and fuelling techniques
• development of control and diagnostic techniques to maintain scenarios in appropriate state
• investigation of the forces, thermal loads and other effects associated with plasma termination
• development of plasma scenarios with suitable performance to provide an integrated performance and device test in a power plant scale experiment
• development of non-pulsed steady state scenarios for continuous energy generation
• comparison of conventional (such as JET) and alternative techniques (such as the spherical tokamak) to ascertain which has the best properties for a power plant.

Experiments involve interaction with a large team of people supporting the device - diagnosticians, heating experts, engineering and electrical support. They often involve collaboration with theorists and experts from other laboratories. Individuals involved in experimental analyses are often also working on either key diagnostics, theory or modelling. In all cases, a principal requirement for leading an experiment is a sound understanding of the underlying physics and machine. There are plenty of opportunities at Culham to develop this.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate good research skills and a practical approach to experimental physics, as well as an ability to cope with theoretical issues. Initial work may focus on detailed analysis of certain effects, and development of codes to facilitate this. It is likely that candidates will become associated with a particularly diagnostic system, heating technique, modelling initiative or theory development, according to their skills and background.