FPN20-81
Physics Basis for SPARC Papers Published
October 3, 2020
A set of papers on the physics basis for the proposed SPARC tokamak has
been published in a special issue of the Journal of Plasma Physics. In
the lead article, author Martin Greenwald, of the MIT Plasma Science and
Fusion Center, notes that higher field magnet technology enables high
performance "in devices of considerably smaller size and thus lower
capital cost" than in similar tokamaks that use today's niobium-based
magnet technology.
Other papers in the special issue treat details of the SPARC design and
projected physics performance, including topics such as the divertor
heat flux, disruptions, and the ICRF heating system. With a 10 second
flat top pulse of current, SPARC aims to achieve a Q of at least 2 and
possibly around 10.
The papers can be found at:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/collections/status-of-the-sparc-physics-basis
and/or at:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/cup-spa092920.php