Fusion Theory (Report on the 3rd European Conference, Oxford, United Kingdom, 11–13 September 1989)

Abstract

The major challenge currently facing fusion theorists, for the case of tokamaks, is to obtain further insight into anomalous transport, the mechanism of sawtooth oscillations, edge effects – especially L-H transitions, and the deposition of energy and momentum by radiofrequency (RF) and lower hybrid (LH) waves. However, if the next generation of tokamaks – some of which are already in the design phase – are to stand a realistic chance of achieving ignition, it is also vitally important that theorists obtain a better understanding of density and beta limit scaling laws. Furthermore, since the projected D-T phase of some current experiments is only a few years off, research into alpha particle confinement and effects such as the interaction of alphas with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes is becoming increasingly topical. In the course of the conference it became clear that European theorists generally are actively engaged in all of the aforementioned fields of research, placing particular emphasis on the problems of anomalous transport and external heating/current drive. Although no startling breakthroughs were announced, steady progresswas evident on all fronts.