Positronium Atom Diagnostic Beam for Use in Studying Transport in Fusion Plasma Experiments

50881-98-I Positronium Atom Diagnostic Beam for Use in Studying Transport in Fusion Plasma Experiments--First Point Scientific, Inc., 5330 Derry Avenue, Suite J, Agoura Hills, CA 91301-4500; (818) 707-1131 Dr. Rod G. Greaves, Principal Investigator Dr. John R. Bayless, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82579 Amount: $75,000 Anomalous transport in magnetically confined fusion plasmas is one of the major obstacles to achieving controlled thermonuclear fusion. However, the basic nature of anomalous transport is not presently understood. Insight into this phenomenon could lead to improved performance of future fusion energy devices. This project will develop a key component for a new diagnostic that will assist in understanding the fundamental nature of anomalous transport. The concept is based on injecting positrons, derived from neutral positronium beams, as test particles into magnetic fusion devices. The following tasks will be performed: (1) an experiment to evaluate a concept for improving a key component of the system: the positron to positronium converter; (2) a preliminary design of the system; (3) a feasibility study for implementing the system on the DIII-D tokamak. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new diagnostic will be very important for the majority of medium and large magnetic fusion experiments. Technological spin-offs could lead to commercial positron and positronium beams with applications to materials and semiconductor analysis. _