Eugenio Schuster

Next-Generation Plasma Control in the DIII-D Tokamak

M.L. Walker, J.R. Ferron, D.A. Humphreys, R.D. Johnson, J.A. Leuer, B.G. Penaflor, A. Pironti, M. Ariola and E. Schuster

Fusion Engineering and Design, 66-68, pp.749-753, September 2003

Abstract

The advanced tokamak (AT) operating mode which is the principal focus of the DIII-D tokamak requires highly integrated and complex plasma control. Simultaneous and high performance regulation of the plasma boundary and internal profiles requires multivariable control techniques in order to take into account the highly coupled influences of equilibrium shape, profile, and stability control. This paper describes progress towards the DIII-D AT mission goal through both significantly improved real time computational hardware and control algorithm capability.

Research Funding

Prof. Schuster's research work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CAREER Award Program and the Basic Plasma Science Program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), national laboratories and private companies.