Studies of the plasma flow velocity in the edge and scrape off layer of tokamaks

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The world effort in fusion research has initiated a major step forward in the next large scale experiment called ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), a burning plasma experiment dedicated to demonstrate de feasibility of thermonuclear fusion as a power source. Even if such a large scale project is underway, fundamental physics issues remain and can be addressed in existing tokamaks, the magnetic geometry of ITER. The objective of the present research program is to study the flow of the main species of the plasma in the scrape off layer (SOL) of tokamaks. It is speculated that such plasma flows may be responsible for the spread of tritium inside the reactor. Therefore, from a technical standpoint, if these flows are not better understood and controlled, activation resulting from the trapping of tritium may shorten the useful life of the fusion reactor. From a more fundamental physics standpoint, these flows are now being invoked as being part of the underlying mechanisms in the confinement regimes in tokamaks. Consequently, a better understanding of these flows leading to their control will bring about a more efficient control of the thermonuclear furnace.