Real Time Mode Identification and Plasma Control

186 Real Time Mode Identification and Plasma Control--FARTECH, Inc., 3146 Bunche Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122-2247; (619) 455-6607 Dr. Jin-Soo Kim, Principal Investigator Dr. Jin-Soo Kim, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-97ER82383 Amount: $75,000 Real time plasma control " tokamak" experiments in magnetic fusion energy research is playing an increasingly important role. Instabilities in the fusion plasmas can lead to reduced performance or possibly the termination of the plasma condition. Identification and characterization of these instabilities in real time offers the potential of reducing or eliminating their effects through control mechanisms. This project is to develop a method to identify the existence of plasma instability , by utilizing a statistical method called Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) in conjunction with various numerical codes. This technique has been commonly used in signal processing in engineering applications. It provides a way of reducing noise by maximizing covariance of the signals over a time window. In Phase I this method will be applied in real time on the DIIID tokamak experiment. Developed codes using the SVD method, will be compared against actual DIIID data. Real time needs can then be evaluated including the determination of the number of input and output signals needed and the details of the computational method to be used. In Phase II the method will be automated for application to real tokamak control. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The tokamak is the leading candidate today to realize the potential of fusion energy. Real time control of the tokamak plasma will be important to maintain optimal performance. Success of this proposal will lead to a method to identify in real time coherent instabilities that can degrade that performance. Real-time identification is an essential part of any system to control these instabilities. Such a control system can play a large role in the success of tokamaks as an energy source for the world in the future.